Tigers call up Harold Castro, move Michael Fulmer to 60-day disabled list

The Detroit Tigers made another roster move on Friday, calling up infield prospect Harold Castro from Triple-A Toledo. To make room for Castro on the 40-man roster, the Tigers moved Michael Fulmer to the 60-day disabled list. Fulmer underwent successful knee surgery on Thursday, but will be ready for spring training next February.

Castro has long been an interesting prospect in the Tigers system, but has not drawn any national buzz. He reached High-A Lakeland during his age-19 season in 2013, and played a full season at Double-A Erie in 2015, his age-21 campaign. However, he hasn’t done much in that time. He has played 341 career games for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, but hit just .267/.296/.331.

Castro also hasn’t had a consistent home defensively. He has spent most of his time at second base, but has played at least 60 games at shortstop, third base, and center field. He has also spent a bit of time in right field and at first base. This versatility will come in handy for the Tigers’ final few games, especially next week; Victor Martinez announced that he will not play in the team’s final six games.

If anything, this call-up may say more about how the organization feels about Dixon Machado. Castro’s call-up wasn’t a matter of convenience — he’s apparently on his way back from Venezuela right now — and Machado posted a .321 on-base percentage for the Mud Hens after being designated for assignment in July. Meanwhile, Castro will probably appear in a few games and then be designated for assignment when the Tigers need a 40-man roster spot this offseason.