A whirlwind of transactions have engulfed the Washington Nationalsover the past forty-eight hours. From players being put on the COVID Injured List, to others being traded, and scores more being called up from the minor leagues to replace them.
The most recent news has an infielder being released at the conclusion of a 30-day suspension he will begin serving.
Starlin Castro, who has been an administrative leave while Major League Baseball investigated him for a violation of the domestic violence policy, has now been officially suspended by the league.
MLB has suspended Starlin Castro for 30 games for violating the league’s domestic violence policy. The Nats say they “take all allegations of abuse and harassment very seriously … and will be releasing Starlin Castro upon the completion of his suspension.”
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) July 30, 2021
The release of Nationals infielder Starlin Castro is long overdue.
There were cheaper options out there when Starlin Castro inked his 2 YR/$12M deal at the beginning of the 2020 season. Castro had a previous relationship with Nationals manager Davey Martinez though, and was coming off a productive campaign with the Miami Marlins where he set career highs in home runs and runs batted in.
His on the field performance with the Nationals was marred from the beginning, however. Castro had stretches where he proved to be a positive and stabilizing force for the team. Brief stretches.
A fractured wrist cut short his first season with the Nationals, and his ineffectiveness with the bat slowed his second season. By the time he was put on administrative leave, he’d worn out his welcome with the franchise.
At that point the Nationals had a firm response to the allegations. General Manager Mike Rizzo apologized for not doing a better job of vetting Castro before signing him, Martinez said Castro would not be welcomed back to the team regardless.
Castro’s struggles on the field don’t matter. His behavior off of it sealed his fate. The Nationals had to wait and allow the process to unfold, though the conclusion was determined long ago. When the suspension is over, Castro will be handed his walking papers.
A move long overdue.