The Chicago White Sox have bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring right-hander Miguel Castro from the Houston Astros in exchange for international signing bonus pool money. Castro, 30, has had a solid season in Triple-A, boasting a 2.29 ERA and five saves across 17 relief appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land. In a related move, the White Sox designated infielder Jacob Amaya for assignment and sent Jared Shuster to Triple-A Charlotte to make room on the roster. Castro made his MLB debut with Toronto in 2015 and has played for several teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.

The Houston Astros have announced that touted infield prospect Cam Smith will join the non-roster players invited to major-league spring training. Smith, acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the trade for Kyle Tucker, has quickly emerged as Houston's top-rated prospect. The 21-year-old was the 14th overall pick in the 2024 draft and demonstrated impressive skills in his first professional season, achieving a .313 batting average with a .609 slugging percentage over 32 games.

Aiming for versatility, general manager Dana Brown indicated that Smith will likely play third base, first base, and right field as he progresses through the minor leagues. If his offensive performance accelerates, Smith could quickly ascend through the ranks, potentially starting the upcoming season at Double-A.

Other notable non-roster invitees to the Astros' camp include Jacob Melton, the club's second-ranked prospect, and Brice Matthews, their top selection from the 2023 draft. Both players reached Triple-A last season. Additionally, several players with major-league experience will also be competing for roster spots, including relievers Steven Okert and Miguel Castro, as well as infielder Zack Short.

The Astros are set to kick off their spring training on February 13, with the first full-squad workout following on February 18 at their facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The Houston Astros have signed reliever Miguel Castro to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to a source familiar with the agreement. At 30 years old, Castro is a seasoned right-handed pitcher who has the potential to compete for a spot in the Astros' bullpen during spring training or to serve as experienced depth at the upper levels of the organization.

Over his career spanning parts of ten seasons, Castro has played for six different teams, achieving a 4.20 ERA across 419 appearances. In 2023, he had a solid season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, making 75 appearances and finishing with a 4.31 ERA, which allowed him to vest an option for the following season. However, his 2024 season was marred by injury, limiting him to just 11 games due to shoulder issues before he was released by Arizona in August.

Standing at 6-foot-7, Castro primarily utilizes a mid-to-high 90s mph sinker along with a slider. Despite a slight decline in velocity during the previous season, he may find himself in contention for a middle relief role with the Astros, who have several openings in their bullpen heading into camp. If he makes it to the major league roster, Castro's contract stipulates a salary of $1.5 million for the upcoming season.