Castillo (1-2) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings Sunday, striking out three and taking the loss against St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo quickly fell behind 1-0 in the first inning and things didn't get much better. He allowed two solo home runs to Tyler O'Neill in the second and fifth innings before Dylan Carlson made it 4-0 with an RBI single. The 28-year-old has now allowed at least four runs in three of his five starts this season. Castillo will carry a 6.29 ERA into next weekend's home outing against the Cubs.

Castillo did not factor into the decision, allowing one earned run on seven hits and three walks in four innings while striking out four in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Arizona, a completion of Tuesday's suspended game.

EDGE Analysis

The righty has fallen short of expectations so far this season, pitching to a 6.05 ERA and allowing three home runs along with six walks. Opposing batters hit .233 against Castillo last year, but that number has risen to .317 through four 2021 starts. Despite his early struggles, the 28-year-old boasts the elite stuff to turn things around in his fifth season and justify the high price fantasy managers paid to roster him.

Castillo allowed four runs on seven hits -- including two home runs -- over five innings in a no-decision against the Giants on Tuesday. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds staked Castillo to a four-run lead before he took the mound, but the right-hander gave it all back in the bottom of the frame on a pair of two-run homers. Castillo was good the rest of the way and now has a 12:1 K:BB in his last two starts, indicating he's turned the page on his Opening Day blowup. Castillo would be on normal rest Sunday, but Sonny Gray (back) is due to return this weekend and the Reds haven't given any indication they might skip someone, so expect Castillo's next start to come next Tuesday at home against the Diamondbacks.

Castillo (1-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Pirates after allowing four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across seven scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander pounded the strike zone and delivered 61 of 81 pitches for strikes in an efficient performance Wednesday, which is a welcome sight after he surrendered eight earned runs to the Cardinals on Opening Day. Castillo next lines up to take the mound Tuesday at San Francisco.

Castillo (0-1) allowed 10 runs (eight earned) on eight hits and two walks over 3.1 innings in a loss to the Cardinals on Thursday. He did not record a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

This was about as ugly as it gets for an ace-level pitcher. Castillo just did not have it on a cold Opening Day in Cincinnati and the defense behind him let him down; Eugenio Suarez's return to shortstop did not go well, with a pair of errors in the first two innings helping dig the early hole. It was a painful reminder that Castillo faces an uphill battle with the defense behind him, and Castillo's velocity was down, which bears watching. He lines up to face the Pirates at home next week.

Castillo will start Opening Day against the Cardinals on April 1, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo had a brief delay this spring due to visa issues, but he's had plenty of time to build up during Cactus League games. Manager David Bell confirmed Friday that Castillo will take the mound for the Reds during the first game of the season after posting a 3.21 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 70 innings during 12 starts last season.

Castillo face live hitting in batting practice for the first time this spring Monday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo reported to camp late due to visa issues coming from the Dominican Republic. Castillo is expected to get his first spring training game action of the season on Friday.

Reds GM Nick Krall issued a statement suggesting that rumors of Castillo being traded to the Yankees was 'completely false,' Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "[The rumors] are completely false," Krall texted. "We intend to have [Castillo] as a member of our rotation for 2021."

EDGE Analysis

While Krall has asserted that he'll listen to offers for nearly everyone, it doesn't really make sense to trade Castillo, absent an overwhelming package. He's only making $4.2 million with the Reds in 2021 and won't become a free agent for another three seasons.

Castillo signed a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander is in his first year of arbitration eligibility, so the $4.2 million is still a significant figure despite him still being underpaid. Castillo had a 3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 89:24 K:BB over 70 innings last season, and he should sit at the top of Cincinnati's rotation in 2021 alongside Sonny Gray.

Castillo struck out seven batters over 5.1 innings in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series on Thursday, allowing just one run on six hits and a walk, but he picked up the loss thanks to an even better performance from Atlanta starter Ian Anderson.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds got some strong pitching performances during their very brief time in the playoffs, but they failed to score a single run in 22 innings across their two losses. Castillo looked quite good in his first career postseason outing, allowing only an RBI double to Ronald Acuna in the fifth inning, but one run proved to be more than his teammates could manage. Still, the strong postseason debut caps off a good campaign for the 27-year-old righty, who cruised to a 3.21 ERA and a career-best 2.65 FIP in his 12 starts this season.