Castillo shows why White Sox traded for him in 10-K outing: 'He's a dog'

CHICAGO – That Luis Castillo on the mound for the White Sox Wednesday at Rate Field, the right-hander who dominated over seven scoreless and struck out a season-high 10 in a 5-0 whitewash of the Reds …

Well, that’s the exact rotation presence general manager Chris Getz acquired at the Trade Deadline.

“Absolutely. That was awesome,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Castillo. “In control the whole time, just the one hit over [seven innings], just outstanding. I thought he attacked the zone really well.”

“He’s a dog. I saw it firsthand, up close and personal,” said catcher Drew Romo of his batterymate. “He’s a dog.”

There’s probably no higher praise to hand out for Castillo (4-9) than Romo’s brief but colorful assessment. Castillo came to the White Sox in exchange for reliever Seranthony Domínguez and Minor Leaguers Boston Smith and Nolan Jones, with the South Siders having Castillo under contractual control for the 2027 campaign as well.

But the 2026 season is the present concern, with the White Sox improving to 62-57 and now holding a 3 1/2-game lead over the Tigers and Twins, and a four-game lead over the Guardians in the American League Central. Castillo allowed a first-inning, one-out single to Sal Stewart, but nothing else aside from two walks over 104 pitches.

Castillo pumped his fist on the mound after striking out JJ Bleday, Eugenio Suárez and Michael Toglia to end his night. He recorded 22 swings and misses, according to Statcast, in his home debut, representing the most swings and misses in a single game by a White Sox pitcher this season.

They are also the most by a White Sox pitcher since Garrett Crochet had 24 whiffs against the Rockies on June 30, 2024. Castillo picked up eight swings and misses off his four-seam fastball, which was up 0.2 mph from his season average, and eight off his changeup.

“It was about time for me to start having confidence in that pitch,” said Castillo of his changeup, through interpreter Billy Russo. “I haven't thrown it much before, but coming to this game that was the plan, to throw more changeups. And it was effective today.

“To me, that's the result when you have confidence in your pitches, confidence in your plan – and we had a very good plan today. We executed and mixed and matched pitches."

This victory, raising the White Sox homestand record to 3-2, was not accomplished by Castillo alone.

Not only was Romo outstanding behind the plate, but he also brought his game on offense. Entering the night with a .126 average and .474 OPS, Romo homered in the third and singled home a run during the two-run eighth for his first multihit effort since May 15, and first multi-RBI showing since May 25.

“I’ve been trying a lot of stuff in the cage. Everything is good in the cage, and then I go out in the field and it goes back to the way it was before,” Romo said. “I didn’t even hit before the game, and I went and did that. Guess I’m not going to hit again.”

"He was phenomenal behind home plate,” said Castillo of Romo. “We were on the same page throughout the whole game. And not just him, I also have to give credit to the defense. The guys that were behind me, they played really well. It was a good game all around for us."

Chase Meidroth had been bothered by left wrist soreness, aggravated on a swing Friday night against the Guardians. It was bad enough for the second baseman to sit out Sunday, and then again on Tuesday after Monday’s off-day.

There was no issue on Wednesday, as Meidroth moved to shortstop in the defensive alignment with Miguel Vargas getting a day off, and launched his 12th home run, adding to his career high. Meidroth also had great praise for Castillo and his special performance.

“Yeah, he fits right in. He hasn’t missed a beat. I feel like he’s been here all year,” Meidroth said. “He’s just a veteran presence, and just the way he carries himself every day, you watch him go about his business and how he goes about it every day, and it’s a huge impact on all the young guys. He’s a big help, and we love having him here.”

“I just want to help this team in this race to make the playoffs,” Castillo said. “As a veteran guy, I have a little bit more experience, and I can bring that to the table, too. But every time that I'm out there, I'm going to try to do my best and try to help this team win as many games as I can."