Castillo will start Friday's game against the Tigers after Thursday's contest against the Cubs was postponed due to rain, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With rain pushing the right-hander's start back a day, Castillo will have a chance to try and replicate the dominant outing he logged against Detroit in his last start. Castillo punched-out 11 TIgers while allowing just one run in six innings of work in his season debut last Saturday.

Castillo allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out 11 over six innings in a no-decision against the Tigers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo was brilliant -- he induced a whopping 24 swinging strikes on 91 pitches -- but had to sit back and watch as the Reds' bullpen gave up five runs to blow the lead. Pitching half his games in Great American Ball Park is a hindrance, but Castillo's fastball-changeup combo is one of the best in the game and it would be a surprise if he's not among the NL strikeout leaders when its all said and done. He lines up for a home start against the Cubs next week.

Because he's been doing individual workouts at Great American Ballpark since May, Castillo is confident that he can ramp up quickly for Opening day, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "Right now, because I've been here such a long time and doing all of my bullpen sessions, I think I could go out and pitch 6-7 innings," Castillo said Saturday via translator Jorge Merlos on a Zoom call. "That's how good I feel right now. I'm perfectly OK to do so."

EDGE Analysis

There's likely to be a wide amount of variance in each player's preparedness after this three-week training period, and at this point we have to take the players and teams at their word, with the lack of spring training games. But Castillo appears to be well-positioned for the beginning of the season.

Castillo was able to work out individually at Great American Ballpark on Wednesday for the first time since the facilities closed due to the COVID-19 crisis, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Both Great American Ballpark and the Reds facilities in Arizona have partially re-opened, without coaches and only for players that are in town. It's not much, but it's a start for some players.

Castillo spent a portion of spring training working on improving his slider, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Pitching coach Derek Johnson spoke of that work developing the slider: "There were some (strikeouts) on his slider, which I think has gotten better. I don't have the numbers in front of me on what he struck out guys with. Of course, the changeup is a weapon. I also think in time guys are going to start looking for his changeup more."

EDGE Analysis

Last year, Castillo used his slider the least often of his four pitches, throwing it 17 percent of the time. It generated a lot of whiffs (47.5%) and a low batting average against (.190), but opposing hitters did some damage when they made contact, slugging .452 against it. The changeup will likely always be Castillo's best pitch, but he would benefit from a second reliable offspeed offering.

In Castillo's four spring training starts, he had an 8.68 ERA and 2.14 WHIP, having allowed nine runs and 16 hits over 9.1 innings. He struck out 14 and walked four over that span.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo had similar, maybe even slightly worse, numbers last spring and then exploded out of the gate with seven regular-season games in which he allowed two or fewer runs. That would lead us to the conclusion to not put undue emphasis on his spring training numbers, lest we miss out on one of the dwindling number of healthy aces in our respective drafts.

Castillo threw two innings in Saturday's spring training loss to the Padres, allowing a run on four hits, a wild pitch and a walk and striking out four in the process. In his first spring training outing Monday, he only got two outs while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo's command isn't quite there yet. "Better," manager David Bell said of Castillo's outing Saturday. "I thought it was a good step. Still not where he needs to get to by the start of the season. Definitely a step in the right direction."

Castillo threw live batting practice Thursday, and his changeup was especially effective against new teammate Mike Moustakas, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitchers are typically ahead of hitters at this stage, and that would especially be the case when they can alter the hitter's timing with off speed pitches. Nonetheless, it's good to see Castillo's go-to pitch working well early this spring.

Castillo (15-8) allowed five runs on five hits with four walks and eight strikeouts across five innings while taking a loss against the Brewers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old has been struggling with walks a lot lately, but this was still the first time he handed our at least four free passes since June 22. Unfortunately, it helped Castillo end this season on a downer note, though, he hasn't pitched well in September. In his last eight starts, Castillo went 4-4 with a 5.55 ERA. He ends the 2019 season with a 15-8 record, 3.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 226 strikeouts in 190.2 innings this season.

Castillo (15-7) was handed the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven over seven innings Friday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo worked five scoreless frames before allowing a solo homer in the sixth and a two-run blast in the seventh. Though he did turn in a quality start, his team only put up one run, resulting in a loss. The 26-year-old continues to show why he's his team's ace, as he now sports a 3.25 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 218 strikeouts across 185.2 innings this season.