Ever since the Orioles signed free agent catcher Welington Castillo on Dec. 16, the team’s catching alignment seemed fairly set.
Castillo would be the starting catcher and Caleb Joseph his backup. Francisco Pena, who was out of options, would challenge Joseph who has options, for the backup job.
But this week, Castillo was announced as a catcher for the World Baseball Classic’s team from the Dominican Republic. This came as a surprise to the Orioles, who assumed Castillo was going to bypass the WBC even though he was listed on the tentative roster in late November.
Spring training, which begins on Feb. 13, will be critical for Castillo, who has to learn a new pitching staff before he departs for the WBC. If the Dominican Republic plays in the tournament’s final game, Castillo could have only a week of spring games to get reacquainted before exhibition games end.
