Castillo allowed three runs on five hits with four strikeouts through six innings but took a no-decision Wednesday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

This was Castillo's best start of the young season, the first start in which he both lasted into the sixth inning and allowed fewer than four runs. He drew 10 swinging strikes in 89 pitches, and most importantly, after allowing four walks in his first 10 innings, Castillo didn't walk a single batter on Wednesday. He still sits at 0-2 with a brutal 7.31 ERA, but progress is progress.

Castillo (0-2) labored against the Pirates on Friday, allowing four earned runs on six hits in five innings, striking out three and walking three in a 14-3 defeat.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo was touted as potential breakout candidate going into the season after he struck out 98 batters in his first 89.1 big-league innings last year to go along with a 3.12 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, but Friday's performance marked his second-consecutive lackluster start to begin the new season. The 25-year-old is clearly talented and has shown he has devastating stuff, but his 9.00 ERA through his first 10 innings of the new season is still concerning for those who drafted him with the thought that he had the potential to help anchor a fantasy staff. He'll look to get his season on track in his next start against the Phillies on April 11.

Castillo earned a loss in his first start of the season Saturday against the Nationals, striking out six but allowing six runs on six hits, a walk and two homers.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo received a lot of helium this draft season after a strong showing in 15 starts last season, but his first start of the year was a disappointment. There will be few assignments more difficult for Castillo this year than facing the Nationals' lineup in hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, but the 25-year-old didn't come close to navigating the matchup successfully. He was jumped on right away with a three-run home run by Matt Adams in the first inning. He proceeded to allow a run in three of the next four innings, including a solo shot by Trea Turner, and was pulled after the fifth. His six strikeouts provided something of a silver lining, and it would be wrong to penalize the youngster too much for one poor performance against a tough lineup. He'll look to get back on track in an easier assignment April 6 against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Castillo has rejoined the Reds following the birth of his daughter and threw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Tuesday and remains on target to be ready for the start of the season. His absence created an opportunity for Cody Reed to pick up a spare start Saturday.

Castillo is away from the team while awaiting the birth of his first child, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo should be back at camp within the next few days following his child's birth. The right-hander is slated to begin the year as the top arm in Cincinnati's rotation after compiling a 3.12 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 89.1 innings with the team in 2017.

Castillo allowed one run against the Cubs on five hits over 2.2 innings Saturday, striking out four while not walking anyone.

EDGE Analysis

Two of the hits were flukes - a bloop double down the left field line by Tommy La Stella, and a squib ground ball against the shift down the third base line by Anthony Rizzo. Castillo remains on pace to be ready for the start of the season.

Castillo looks to be a lock for Cincinnati's starting rotation in 2018, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite starting just 15 games last season, Castillo is in a position to begin the season as a member of the starting rotation, barring a complete meltdown in spring training. He finished 2017 with a 3-7 record and recorded a 3.12 ERA across 89.1 innings. The 25-year-old will look for more run support during his 2018 campaign and is expected to rack up the strikeouts as he continues to show impressive velocity on his fastball.

Castillo (3-7) earned the win over the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits over eight innings. He struck out 10 and did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Castillo acknowledged last week that this would be his final start of 2017, and what a way to go out. After allowing a solo homer to Neil Walker in the first, Castillo breezed through the rest of the afternoon, allowing two hits over his final seven frames. The 24-year-old ends the season with a 3.12 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 98:32 K:BB in 89.1 innings with the Reds and looks primed to receive the Opening Day nod next year.

Castillo didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-3 win over the Pirates, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over four innings while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

He threw 60 of 89 pitches for strikes, and with the Reds keeping a very careful eye on his workload, manager Bryan Price elected to go to his bullpen for the fifth inning rather than give Castillo a shot at his third win of the season. The 24-year-old will take the mound Wednesday at home against the Brewers in what will be his final start of the year according to MLB.com -- "[Price] told me he didn't want me to throw, like, 100 pitches because I have one more outing after this one," Castillo said through an interpreter after the game -- but as yet the club hasn't indicated whether they'll shut him down completely or use him out of the bullpen for the rest of September.

Castillo may only make one or two starts in September before being shut down for the season, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though he's recorded wins in just two of his 13 starts, Castillo has been the Reds' top starter since making the leap from Double-A Pensacola to the majors in late June, submitting a 3.26 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 9.7 K/9 rate. However, since he's already accumulated 157.2 innings between both levels and the Reds have previously stated that they would like to keep the rookie around 165 innings for 2017, a shutdown seems imminent for Castillo. While that will limit Castillo's utility for fantasy owners the rest of the way, manager Bryan Price indicated it won't have any bearing on the right-hander's status heading into 2018. Price has already stated that the 24-year-old is a lock to open next season as a member of the rotation.