Los Angeles Dodgers Castro was signed as an undrafted
free agent by the
Los Angeles Dodgers in 1991 and began his trek through the
minor leagues with the
Great Falls Voyagers in 1991. He followed that up with time spent with the
Bakersfield Dodgers,
San Antonio Missions and
Albuquerque Dukes. He was selected to the
Texas League All-Star Team while with San Antonio in 1994. Castro made his major league debut with the
Los Angeles Dodgers on September 2, against the
Montreal Expos as a defensive replacement at
third base. He got his first at bat on September 11, and recorded his first career hit in his first career start on October 1 against the
San Diego Padres. Playing for the Dodgers was especially meaningful for Castro, as he idolized fellow Mexican and former
Dodgers pitching ace
Fernando Valenzuela as a child. Castro played for the Dodgers through the season. His primary position was
shortstop, but he also backed up at
second base and
third base. He played with the Reds from 2000 to 2004, mostly as a
utility player. In 2003, he batted .253/.290/.388 with career highs of nine home runs and 33 RBI in 113 games.
Cincinnati Reds (second stint) On June 15, , Castro was traded back to the
Cincinnati Reds for minor league
outfielder Brandon Roberts. On September 25, 2006, the Reds signed him to a two-year, $2 million extension. On April 21, , Castro was
designated for assignment by the Reds.
Baltimore Orioles On May 2, , he became a
free agent, and signed with the
Colorado Rockies. After spending some time playing for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate, the
Colorado Springs Sky Sox, he was traded to the
Baltimore Orioles on July 19 for infielder
Mike McCoy, and was immediately added to the major league roster. Castro started more games at
shortstop than any other player in 2008 for the Orioles.
Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint) He became a free agent at the end of the season and on January 4, , he signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with his original team, the
Los Angeles Dodgers. He spent the season as a backup infielder and then filed for free agency again.
Philadelphia Phillies Castro agreed to a one-year deal with the
Philadelphia Phillies on November 24. Castro temporarily replaced
Jimmy Rollins at shortstop after Rollins suffered a right calf injury. Playing third base, Castro fielded the ground ball and threw to first, completing the 27th and final out of
Roy Halladay's
perfect game on May 29, 2010.
Los Angeles Dodgers (third stint) Castro was released by the Phillies on July 17, 2010, and returned to the Dodgers on a minor-league contract on July 27, 2010. The Dodgers called him up to the Majors on August 11, 2010. He appeared in one game and was designated for assignment on August 21. The Dodgers had intended to recall him when rosters expanded in September, but he chose to remain home to attend to an ailing family member. He became a free agent after the season but re-signed with the Dodgers on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training. He was assigned to the AAA
Albuquerque Isotopes. On May 13, 2011, he had his contract purchased by the Dodgers. After appearing in seven games, during which he was 4-for-14 (.286), he was again designated for assignment on June 6.
Retirement He retired from baseball on July 10, 2011. Over 17 years in the major leagues, he batted .229/.268/.327. ==Coaching career==