A tweet from Tigers beat writer Jason Beck:
Leyland on
Dontrelle today: “Very, very impressed. Nice, smooth delivery. Good
command overall. Very good. I’m very happy with what I saw.”
Early spring training bullpen sessions are notoriously poor indicators of future performance, but if Willis can pitch a lick this year it would be wonderful news. For Willis, the Tigers and everyone else.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic confirms a report from journalist Américo Celado that White Sox catcher Welington Castillo will be suspended 80 games for violating baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement. Castillo was believed to have used a steroid, but according to Rosenthal, the substance was not a steroid. More details should come on Thursday.
Castillo, 31, entered Wednesday’s action batting .270/.314/.477 with six home runs and 15 RBI in 118 plate appearances. He has gotten the bulk of the work behind the plate, backed up by Omar Narváez.
Castillo’s absence will likely prompt the White Sox to call up Kevan Smith from Triple-A Charlotte. Smith battled an ankle injury in March and April, so he got a late start to the season. In 102 PA at Triple-A, he has hit .283/.343/.457.
