PITTSBURGH -- Right-hander Miguel Castro returned to the Rockies for Friday's game against the Pirates, after spending time on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation and making two appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Castro, 21, posted a 1.50 ERA with eight strikeouts in six innings in a key late-game role before being placed on the 15-day DL on April 22. Rockies manager Walt Weiss said he would initially not use Castro in crucial situations. But Castro came into a tight game Friday, with the Rockies trailing, 2-1, in the eighth. After forcing two popups and giving up Starling Marte's double, Castro fanned Francisco Cervelli on an 85-mph slider. The Rockies ended up losing by the same score.
Castro said his shoulder felt better after five days on the DL, and he has been working on rebuilding strength since. He gave up three runs, including two home runs, in two innings at Albuquerque and is still working his way back to form.
"There's a little bit of difference on my pitches with my control, just because I had so much time off, and I'm just regaining that control," Castro said.
The Rockies recalled Castro and righty Jordan Lyles from Albuquerque, optioned righty reliever Scott Oberg to Albuquerque, and placed righty Christian Bergman on the 15-day DL with a left oblique strain.