In a bold move to bolster their bullpen, the Seattle Mariners have officially claimed left-handed reliever Jos Castillo off waivers from the New York Mets. This acquisition comes on the heels of the team designating Joe Jacques for assignment.

Jose Castillo, 29, has had a rollercoaster season, with a 1-1 record, a 4.98 ERA, and a 1.85 WHIP across 21 games. This season has seen him striking out 22 batters while allowing nine walks over 21 and 2/3 innings. After battling performance issues earlier with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Castillo found his stride with the Mets, achieving a solid 2.35 ERA in 15 and 1/3 innings for New York.

Despite being limited to just three major league outings since July, Castillo brings a sophisticated four-pitch arsenal to the Mariners, mainly featuring a sinker and slider which he throws nearly 90% of the time. His fastballs typically range from 92-93 mph. A former participant in the 2017 World Baseball Classic for Venezuela, Castillo has spent four seasons in the majors with the San Diego Padres, after overcoming Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2021.

In their parting with Jacques, who struggled with a 6.93 ERA during his time at Triple-A Tacoma, the Mariners are making a tactical play to improve their bullpen depth.

On another front, right-handed reliever Sauryn Lao has been snapped up by the Washington Nationals after being designated for assignment earlier this week. The 26-year-old made a brief mark in the majors this season, allowing four runs in just over three innings.

The Mariners find themselves in a pivotal moment as they look to revamp their pitching staff while navigating a challenging season. Stay tuned for the latest updates on how these changes will impact the team's performance in the coming games!