The Philadelphia Phillies have claimed right-hander Max Castillo off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Outfielder Simon Muzziotti has been designated for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot. Acquired by the Blue Jays from the Royals in a 2022 trade that sent Whit Merrifield to Toronto, Castillo has worked to a career 5.43 ERA and 8.9% K-BB% across 21 outings (six starts) and 59 2/3 innings between the Blue Jays and Royals. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox this winter but was designated for assignment by the club on Feb. 2. Muzziotti, 25, has just nine MLB plate appearances under his belt from 2022 and hit .296 with seven homers, 26 stolen bases, and a .762 OPS across 124 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2023, failing to reach the big leagues a season ago.

The Boston Red Sox claimed right-hander Max Castillo off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. Castillo, who debuted in the big leagues in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays and Royals, made seven relief appearances for the Royals in 2023 and allowed 10 earned runs on 20 hits (two homers) while walking nine and striking out 10 in 20 1/3 innings pitched. The 24-year-old will most likely begin the 2024 campaign at Triple-A Worcester and will give Boston some starting and relief depth in the minor leagues. In 21 total appearances (six starts) in his two major-league seasons, Castillo has a 5.43 ERA (5.22 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 24 walks and 47 strikeouts in 59 2/3 total innings pitched.

The Kansas City Royals have designated pitcher Max Castillo for assignment. The right-hander is the 40-man roster casualty with the club officially signing outfielder Hunter Renfroe. The 24-year-old was part of the trade that sent Whit Merrifield to the Blue Jays at the 2022 trade deadline and he spent the bulk of the 2023 season with Triple-A Omaha in the Royals organization, working to a 4.58 ERA across 22 outings (21 starts). He also made seven relief appearances with the Royals, tossing a 4.43 ERA with just 10 strikeouts against nine walks in 20 1/3 innings of work. He owns a career 5.43 ERA in 21 appearances (six starts) between the Blue Jays and Royals.

The Kansas City Royals recalled right-hander Max Castillo from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, and he'll make his first start with the team against the Tampa Bay Rays. The team's No. 17 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in the trade that involved Whit Merrifield. The 23-year-old had a 3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings in his first nine major league appearances (two starts) in Toronto this year. Castillo wasn't as sharp for Omaha after joining the Royals organization, but he could see multiple starts in KC's rotation with Brad Keller recently being moved to the bullpen. He doesn't have overwhelming stuff but relies on movement and deception against opposing hitters.