Phillies released 2B Luis Castillo.

Well, this is a surprise. Castillo got off to a shaky start with his new club, but looked like the favorite for the second base job over the past week. Apparently the Phillies weren't convinced and will go with Wilson Valdez as the starter. Look for Castillo to latch on elsewhere.

Luis Castillo went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in an 8-5 win over the Pirates on Tuesday.

Castillo went hitless in his first two games with the Phillies, but has looked like the team's best option at second base over the past week. While neither are great fantasy options, we think Castillo deserves to get most of the playing time over Wilson Valdez.

Luis Castillo collected two hits and walked once in five plate appearances Saturday against the Blue Jays.

Castillo has reached base six times in nine plate appearances the last two days. That's what the Phillies want to see from him as they debate whether or not to give him a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Luis Castillo went 1-for-2 and walked twice as the Phillies' No. 2 hitter on Friday.

Castillo turned in 0-fors in his first couple of games with his new team, but today was better. The Phillies will make a decision soon on whether to keep him as a part-time second baseman in place of Chase Utley.

Luis Castillo went 0-for-4 in his Phillies debut Thursday against the Rays.

Castillo probably can't slump over the next week and still make the Phillies. The hitless day left him with a .250/.314/.250 line in 32 at-bats for the spring.

Luis Castillo is in the Phillies' starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

As expected. There was a misunderstanding about Castillo's initial arrival time, but he's in there batting No. 2 on Wednesday. Still, he doesn't have much time to state his case as a fill-in for Chase Utley. As of now, Wilson Valdez is the favorite to play second base on Opening Day.

Luis Castillo has arrived at Phillies camp.

The Phils were thinking that Castillo would arrive Tuesday morning and be available for their afternoon Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, but the veteran infielder wasn't aware of that expectation. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro told reporters that the misunderstanding is "not a big deal."

Luis Castillo believed he had all day Tuesday to report to Phillies camp.

At least, that's what a source with knowledge of the information told Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal. Castillo was originally slated to play second base in the Phillies' Grapefruit League game Tuesday afternoon against the Blue Jays, but he had to be scratched because he was not yet in camp. Look for him to make his Phillies debut Wednesday.

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, Luis Castillo is currently on his way to Phillies camp.

Castillo apparently had some sort of hotel mix-up. He won't play Tuesday and has not yet been penciled into Wednesday's lineup. The veteran second baseman is not off to a great start with his new team.

Luis Castillo had to be scratched from the Phillies' lineup Tuesday because he is not yet in camp.

It's not clear what might be holding him up. Castillo inked a minor league contract with the Phillies on Monday morning and should have had ample time to travel from Port St. Lucie to Clearwater, Florida. He now has only eight more games to prove that he is worthy of serving as Chase Utley's replacement at second base.

Phillies signed 2B Luis Castillo to a minor league contract.

With Chase Utley battling a knee injury, the Phillies pounced quickly on the recently-released Castillo and will ask him to start at second base for the first couple weeks of the 2011 season. He's no longer a good hitter or fielder, but he came cheap. The Mets are still on the hook the $6 million that the 35-year-old is owed this year.

Free agent Luis Castillo is expected to join the Phillies, a source told ESPN's Adam Rubin.

Castillo would likely step in as the primary second baseman until Chase Utley returns. Whether he's kept around afterwards will be entirely up to how he performs in the meantime. Without the ability to play anywhere other than second base, he's of very limited use as a bench player.

The odds of Luis Castillo returning to the Marlins are "remote," according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Florida reportedly hasn't slammed the door on the possibility but isn't actively pursuing the veteran second baseman. Castillo, released by the Mets Friday, began his career with the Marlins and won three Gold Gloves and made three All-Star teams while playing in Miami. If the Marlins change their minds about him, they could start the 35-year-old at second base, shift Omar Infante over to third and have Matt Dominguez begin the year at Triple-A. Castillo seems to be running out of suitors, as additional reports have the Phillies' and Cubs' interest as tepid at best.

The Phillies do not view Luis Castillo as a realistic possibility to fill in for Chase Utley, according to David Murphy of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The club is apparently concerned about Castillo's decreased speed, which affects both his offense and defense. Murphy writes that the Phillies might be interested in offering a non-guaranteed contract, but there appear to be enough interested parties that Castillo will get a guaranteed deal.

Cubs brass hasn't discussed the possibility off adding Luis Castillo after he clears waivers, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Cubs are content with Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker at second base for now. Castillo might have to open the season in Triple-A if he wants to continue his career.

ESPN Deportes' Enrique Rojas reports that the Cubs and Phillies are interested in free agent Luis Castillo.

They join the Marlins as potential suitors for the recently-released second baseman. Both spots make some sense, as the Cubs aren't pleased with Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker at second base, and the Phillies wouldn't mind having Castillo around as insurance for Chase Utley. Though his game has certainly eroded in recent years, Castillo could still be a moderately useful player. The Orioles and Dodgers are on record as not having interest in the veteran.

The Palm Beach Post's Joe Capozzi reports that the Marlins have had internal discussions about signing Luis Castillo.

Castillo, who was released by the Mets Friday, of course began his career with the Marlins and won three Gold Gloves and made three All-Star teams while playing in Miami. He's still considered a favorite of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and is also friends with infield coach Perry Hill. If the Marlins ultimately decide that Castillo can help them, it would likely result in him playing second base, Omar Infante shifting over to third and Matt Dominguez beginning the year at Triple-A. We seriously doubt Castillo would help the Fish more than Dominguez would, but that doesn't mean the Marlins won't end up signing the 35-year-old. On a related note, the Orioles have said they have no interest in Castillo despite a need for some insurance for Brian Roberts.

Mets released 2B Luis Castillo.

It should come as no surprise. Castillo was on the roster fence when he entered camp this spring and he batted just .286/.355/.286 with no home runs and two RBI over 28 Grapefruit League at-bats. The Mets will either start Rule 5 Draft pick Brad Emaus at second base or else it will be 26-year-old Luis Hernandez. Castillo's remaining $6 million in salary will simply be eaten by the Mets.

Luis Castillo survived the Mets' recent round of cuts.

The Mets are thought to be leaning toward Luis Hernandez or Brad Emaus at second base, but keeping Castillo around for another few weeks -- or months -- can't hurt. The club is already going to have to pay him $6 million this year so they may as well have him carry equipment or something. Oliver Perez also survived and is now in the running for a lefty specialist gig.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com, Mets manager Terry Collins is not convinced that Luis Castillo is the answer at second base.

Collins won't have the ultimate say, but most of the organization would probably be thrilled if one of the other candidates steps up. That hasn't happened yet. It's worth noting that Rule 5 pick Brad Emaus has a backer in assistant general manager J.P. Ricciardi, so he may have some extra rope here.