Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The Minnesota Twins on Wednesday selected right-hander pitcher Eiberson Castellano from Philadelphia in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft in Dallas.
Castellano, 23, split the 2024 minor league season between High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading, going a combined 6-5 with a 3.99 earned-run average.
Per major league rules, the Twins paid Philadelphia $100,000 and immediately placed Castellano on their 26-man roster. He will have to pass through outright waivers in order to be removed. In that case, he must be offered back to Philadelphia (for $50,000) before he can be reassigned to the minor leagues.
Notable Twins Rule 5 picks include Shane Mack, Johan Santana and Ryan Pressley.
A native of Venezuela, Casellano pitched in 22 games, 20 of them starts. He averaged 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings and was named Philadelphia's minor league pitcher of the year after leading all Phillies farmhands with 136 strikeouts in 103⅓ innings.
Since signing with the Phillies in 2018, he has gone 12-11 with a 3.71 ERA, 91 walks, 291 strikeouts, a .224 opponent batting average and a 1.21 WHIP in 77 career minor league games (36 starts).