Every now and then the Dodgers make a move that immediately makes you say “Hmmm…” Such was the case on Thursday afternoon.

Shortly before the organization’s enormously successful Blue Diamond Gala event (through the LA Dodgers Foundation), the team sent out a press release announcing that they had purchased the contract of 28-year-old right-hander Fabio Castillo – thereby adding him to their 40-man roster – and then immediately optioned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Now since the hard-throwing Samana, Dominican Republic native was already at OKC, the move was obviously a paper move and not a physical one.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Castillo, the Dodgers designated left-hander Justin Marks for assignment, probably in the hopes that he would clear waivers and accept an assignment with (wait for it) the OKC Dodgers.

After receiving a non-roster invitation to major league camp, Castillo appeared in five spring training games for the Dodgers, all in relief. In those five games, he posted a 1-1 record and 4.50 ERA. And even though he struck out five in his combined 8.0 innings of work, he also walked four. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

The Dodgers signed Castillo as a minor league free agent on January 4, 2017 and initially assigned him to the OKC Dodgers. However, after receiving an invitation to major league spring training camp, he began the 2017 season with the team’s Double-A affiliate Tulsa Driller, appearing in three games in relief and posting a 0-1 record and 1.29 ERA with three strikeouts and three walks in 7.0 innings of work.

Castillo was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 23, where he appeared in nine games (seven starts). In his combined 37.0 innings of work with OKC, Castillo was 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA. To date, he has struck out 38 batters while walking 10.

Through his 11 minor league seasons (that’s not a typo), Castillo has been with six different organizations – Texas Rangers (2006-12), San Francisco Giants (2013), Baltimore Orioles (2014), Cincinnati Reds (2014), San Diego Padres (2016) and now the Dodgers. He was initially signed by the Rangers as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2005. Over those 11 seasons, Castillo has a career mark of 35-54 with a career earned run average of 4.43, which again make you say “Hmmm.”

Although this move is a rather odd one, there may be some rhyme to the Dodgers reason behind it. The 6′-1″ / 235-pound Castillo has clearly proven himself as a true workhorse – both as a starter and a reliever – and has enjoyed reasonable success at both. As such, there is a decent chance that he wouldn’t make it past waivers if designated for assignment. However, the real reason for this move probably has more to do with the uncertain future of Dodger right-hander Kenta Maeda and the continuing health concerns with left-handers Hyun-Jin Ryu, Rich Hill and (dare I say it) Alex Wood. Having Castillo on their 40-man roster now makes him readily available for a spot start with the big club without having to worry about making a corresponding roster move.

Then again, this move could be smoke and mirrors to showcase Castillo for a potential trade prior to the upcoming July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

In other words, “Hmmm…”