Diego Castillo, sailors argue case in wage arbitration

St. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Diego Castillo and the Seattle Mariners went into salary arbitration Tuesday, with the reliever asking for $3,225,000 and the team offering $2.95 million. Richard Bloch, Melinda Gordon and Brian Keller heard the case. A decision is expected on Wednesday. Castillo, a 29-year-old right-hander, was 7-3 with a 3.64 ERA and seven saves in 59 relief appearances last year for the Mariners, who reached the playoffs for the first time since 2001 and lost . to eventual World Series champion Houston in the Division Series. Castello struck out 53 and walked 22 in 54 1/3 innings. He had a salary of $2.15 million. Castello signed with the Rays in 2014 and pitched in Tampa Bay from 2018 until he was traded to Seattle in July 2021. He is 24-18 with a 3.12 ERA and 35 saves in five seasons major leaguers, and is eligible for free agency after the 2024 World Series. Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, acquired by the Toronto Mariners, is also on track for a hearing. He asked for an increase from $10.65 million to $16 million, and Seattle offered $14 million. Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe and Los Angeles argued the first case of the year Monday in a decision that is being held for a later announcement. He asked for an increase from $7.65 million to $11.9 million, and the Angels argued for $11.25 million. Twenty-four players are still scheduled for hearings, which will take place until February 17. Three players who had been scheduled to have their cases heard accepted multi-year contracts on Tuesday. New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil got a four-year, $50 million contract and Tampa Bay Rays infielder Yandy Diaz agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal. Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin signed two-year, $6.65 million contract.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport