Dodgers call up Juan Castro, send Ivan DeJesus to triple-A
Juan Castro is back, and I’m going way out on a limb here to declare it’s not because of his bat.
As a hitter, Castro is -- well, not really sure how to sum that up. Not good, doesn’t quite do the trick.
He has a reliable glove, however, and can play shortstop, second and third. And since Don Mattingly couldn’t find a way to play Ivan DeJesus Jr., DeJesus was returned to triple-A Albuquerque to make room for Castro.
"Ivan needs to play," Mattingly said. "It’s not going to do him any good to play once every five, six days. He needs to play.
"Juan gives us a guy who can play short, who can play third, who can play second. Until we can get [Rafael Furcal] back and get ourselves kind of back to full strength, Juan gives you that shortstop that you’re comfortable with. He’s kind of the right guy for what we need."
What they need is a utility infielder, since the two guys who were signed to fill that role -- Jamey Carroll and Aaron Miles -- are mostly starting with injuries to Casey Blake and Furcal.
"It’s a good feeling when somebody wants you, and somebody likes you," Castro said. "I’m just happy to be back here."
Back, as in this his fourth stint with the Dodgers. It's the sixth time they've called him up overall. The Dodgers' fascination with Castro goes back to 1991 when he first signed as a free agent and Clayton Kershaw was 3 years old. Castro turns 39 next month.
"I look young," he said.
He is so ineffective at the plate that when the Dodgers signed him as a non-roster invitee last December, Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness’ Mike Petriello went so far as to call him "one of the worst hitters in the history of baseball."
Using baseball sabermetrics, he called Castro the fourth worst hitter since 1901 for a player with his career number of at-bats (2,613).
Castro’s not here to hit, though there figure to be games when he’ll have to. When Furcal is activated, probably in about a week, Russ Mitchell will likely be sent down, meaning Castro is probably here at least until Blake returns. To make room for Castro on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred Hector Gimenez to the 60-day disabled list. Castro hit .194 in 31 at-bats.
When Castro failed to make the team’s opening day roster, he considered retiring.
"Those four or five days, I was thinking if I wanted to continue to play the game," Castro said. "The Dodgers called me back and gave me a chance to go to triple-A and play a little bit there. I said I would do that and appreciated that they gave me the opportunity to go back there and play, and now I’m here in the big leagues."
Again.
ALSO:
Bud Selig says league is 'moving as fast as we can' on Dodgers inquiry
Dodgers being carried by starting pitching
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: Juan Castro in 2009. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times
John Castro seems like he's been around forever.
Posted by: OldBrooklynFan | 05/13/2011 at 06:53 PM
For those of you who were on the fence, please put in your order for world series tickets now.
Posted by: Labeldude | 05/13/2011 at 08:01 PM
OMG is there no end to Colletti's love of veteren gooeyness. Didn't they just sign a free agent to a three year contract that can play 3B, SS and 2B? With Miles (who also shouldn't be on the team) and Carroll available until Furcal and Blake return and Thames on the D/L they should be calling up a right handed hitter. John Lindsey or Jamie Hoffman anyone???
Posted by: West Coast Ram | 05/13/2011 at 08:30 PM
Thanks, Ned!
Posted by: FormerLifelongDodgerFan | 05/13/2011 at 08:40 PM
Castro bats weight, which makes him a power-hitter on this team. Another piece is added in the drive to last place!
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | 05/14/2011 at 02:46 AM
We don't need more "no-power utility infielders". We need a right handed bat with some pop in his bat.
Posted by: Airedale | 05/14/2011 at 04:01 AM
nothing wrong w/juan, as he's proven to be a fine utility infielder, & even though neva a grande' hitter, has improved w/age here, too.....
imho, the current second-sacker for 'Topes (?Velez?) may be a good option for "duds" too, as he's abt 29 yrs olde, a swith-hitter, & can also play some OF
Posted by: StrongerBenchButtStillNotJohnny-Quality | 05/14/2011 at 08:33 AM
castro so old, he played w/"duds" when they still had dejesus, sr.??? (just kidding, as that neva really happened)
riddle: what do following numbers have in common:
60; 25; 17; 14; 33; & 3????
answer: these are the uniform numbers worn by castro during his various stays w/the duds
Posted by: RiddleMeThisBatMen | 05/14/2011 at 09:23 AM
World Series here we come!
Posted by: McCourt blows | 05/14/2011 at 09:54 AM
If the Dodgers won't focus on the future and give DeJesus a real chance to play enough games to develop in the majors, the last thing they need is another utility infielder who can play 3 positions. They already have that in spades. What they need is to trade for a top notch starting 3rd baseman with some pop and then they will also have Blake to move around several positions when he gets back. Since there is not a plethora of great 3rd basemen in either league right now, why not just give Russ Mitchell a real chance. Typically as they do with rookies they have brought him up and then give him a scant 7 at bats over 6 games and wonder why he doesn't have any hits. MOST major leaguers fare much better the second or third time around they bat against a starter, and most do not hit well against late inning relievers. And it often takes most vets many days to hit themselves out of slumps. This kid hasn't even had a chance to get his feet on the ground. And if they finally start him please don't put him at the bottom of the lineup where he will get lousy sucker pitches to flail at since the pitcher bats next, and then wonder why he doesn't hit. Ya gotta have guts to make a decision to go with the young guys now and take a big chance or make a big trade for a proven difference-maker.
Posted by: NorCal Dodger | 05/14/2011 at 09:56 AM
how does this guy stay around like this, for as long as I can remember he's been a one of the biggest scrubs in baseball year after year and you're going to sign him when he's 38? seriously? there has to be AA players better than him right now
Posted by: Juan Castro | 05/17/2011 at 03:30 AM