ARLINGTON, Texas — According to several people with knowledge of the situation, Cuban defector Rusney Castillo worked out for the Phillies on Tuesday at the club’s spring training home in Clearwater, Fla.
Castillo, who was impressive in a Saturday workout in Miami that was attended by almost all 30 major league clubs and drew four scouts from the Yankees, is a free agent outfielder free to sign with any club and has fielded offers from teams.
The Yankees have invited Castillo, a right-handed hitter who displayed opposite-field power in the Miami showcase, to their Tampa facility for a private workout next week.
Some team officials believed the 27-year-old will be signed by the end of the week, but that appears to be unlikely.
Roc Nation, led by Jay Z, represents Castillo and isn’t commenting on private workouts or when he will sign.
Nevertheless, Castillo plans on playing in the big leagues this season, so he would likely have to sign soon.
Estimates of what the speedy Castillo is worth range from $30 million to $45 million.
If Michael Pineda takes the mound in an official minor league game Sunday as planned, the 30-day rehab clock will start. After a simulated game Tuesday in Tampa, the Yankees are prepared to take the next step with the right-handed starter, who hasn’t worked a big league game since April 23 due to suspension and a terres major muscle injury high in the back on the right side.
“Really good, 45 pitches [Tuesday],’’ manager Joe Girardi said before the Yankees’ 12-11 win over the Rangers. “He will make a start somewhere. Four innings, 60 to 65 pitches will be his next move. I am not exactly sure where but it will be a regular game.’’
Because Pineda didn’t pitch in a major league game in 2012 and 2013 due to shoulder surgery and has worked just four games this season, it’s foolish to believe he is a lock to return.
“I think you have to get him to 90 pitches and you feel good about it, and he isn’t fatiguing,’’ Girardi said when asked when he will think about having Pineda return. “If you get there, he is a guy you think about.’’
Kelly Johnson is eligible to come off the 15-day DL Aug. 7, and when he does, Girardi might use him at second base, a position Johnson has the most experience at but hasn’t started a game there this season because he was needed at first and third.
“He will play a game or two of rehab so he can get at-bats,’’ Girardi said of Johnson, who is out with a strained left groin. “We feel he is going to be ready.’’
As for Johnson playing second, Girardi admitted it could happen.
“It’s something I could think about,’’ the manager said. “If we feel there is a need to put him there, we will put him there.’’
P.J. Pilittre, the Yankees’ Single-A hitting coach for Tampa, has been selected to coach in the Arizona Fall League. Pilittre will perform the same duties for the Scottsdale Scorpions, a team that will be made up of prospects from the Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates and Giants organizations.