Castillo gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

It didn't look like his services would be needed Friday, but the Rays staged a four-run rally in the top of the ninth to create the save situation and Castillo converted. The right-hander is off to an early lead in the race to be Tampa's saves leader in 2021, but history suggests he will be far from alone in getting ninth-inning work from manager Kevin Cash.

Castillo picked up the save in Thursday's Opening Day win, holding the Marlins scoreless while recording two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old nearly gave up a game-tying homer to Jesus Aguilar, but it fell just short of the wall and he was able to escape without any damage. Over the last two seasons, Castillo has converted 12 of 15 save opportunities to go with a career-best 1.66 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 21.2 innings (22 appearances) in 2020. He looks like the top closing option for the Rays this year, as Pete Fairbanks pitched the eighth in this one.

Castillo fired a scoreless second inning during his Grapefruit League debut against the Red Sox on Friday, allowing one hit and no walks.

EDGE Analysis

Although the right-hander didn't record any strikeouts, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports Castillo's fastball consistently hit 94 mph and ticked up as high as 96. Castillo should see plenty of save opportunities this coming season with the offseason departure of Jose Alvarado, and he's lent credence to the notion he's up to the task by converting 12 of 15 save chances over the last two seasons and posting a career-best 1.66 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 21.2 innings (22 appearances) in 2020.

Castillo arrived at camp Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo was one of a handful of players around the league who experienced delays getting back into the country. He then had to sit for a few more days due to intake procedures, but he should have plenty of time to catch up to his teammates by Opening Day.

Castillo was delayed getting into the country but has since arrived and will join the Rays for their first full-squad workout Tuesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Expect the pandemic to cause a few similar delays around the league, but there's plenty of time for the situations to resolve before Opening Day. Castillo will miss a few days of workouts while going through his mandatory quarantine period, but he shouldn't be at any risk of missing time to start the regular season.

Castillo fired one scoreless inning Tuesday as he earned the save in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Astros. He allowed no hits and two walks while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

After striking out Josh Reddick to begin the ninth inning, Castillo got into some trouble as he issued two consecutive walks with one out. However, he was able to close the door by striking out Jose Altuve before forcing a flyout to end the game. Both Castillo and Pete Fairbanks now have two saves during this postseason.

Castillo earned the save Sunday in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros. He allowed one hit while striking out one batter over 1.2 scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo entered the game in the eighth with the bases loaded and managed to escape the jam with a single pitch -- he got Yuli Gurriel to ground into an inning-ending double play. He then worked around a single in the ninth to earn his first save of the postseason. Peter Fairbanks has notched two saves during these playoffs while Nick Anderson has worked as part of the bridge to the ninth.

Castillo was credited with his fourth hold in a win over the Mets on Monday, firing 1.1 perfect innings during which he recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The fact Castillo needed just 11 pitches to record four outs underscores his level of efficiency Monday, with his clean outing pulling his ERA down to an elite 1.74. The right-hander has been one of manager Kevin Cash's most trusted relief assets all season, allowing just four runs across 21 appearances and also going 4-for-5 in save situations in addition to his setup work.

Castillo (3-0) blew the save but picked up the win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles, giving up one hit and walking three batters over 1.2 scoreless innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Brought into a 1-0 game in the sixth inning and a runner on second, Castillo was tagged for an RBI single by Ryan Mountcastle, but the Rays rallied back in the top of the seventh to make the right-hander the winner. It was the first time since Aug. 7 that Castillo issued multiple free passes in an outing, and his 1.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB through 19.1 innings should keep him in the high-leverage mix for Tampa over the final days of the season.

Castillo gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his fourth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander continues to be an integral part of the Rays' high-leverage bullpen crew. Castillo has been scored upon only once in his last seven appearances, a stretch during which he has all four of his saves. On the year he boasts a 2.04 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB through 17.2 innings.