Castillo_lateCastillo dropped the ball

Two words you never want to hear from your potential Chase Utley replacement: I'm late.

The Luis Castillo era week is off to a smashing start. Castillo was originally supposed to report to Phillies camp yesterday. He didn't. This morning, the Phillies had Castillo penciled in today's lineup for the game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin (right next to Clearwater). At around 8:30, his name was whited out. Why, you ask? Because he's not there yet. He's nowhere to be found. His name was also not included in Wednesday's lineup.

Not the best of first impressions.

Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes (clearly an Irish gentlemen) Tweeted the following, which when thrown into Google Translate, says this:

Luis Castillo out of Miami to Clearwater right now. Will be physical and may participate in minor league game. Phillies were scheduled to use Castillo against Jays in Dunedin, but confusion with hotel reservation affected plan.

 

Those hotels nowadays- confusing stuff. You have to book, decide which rewards card to use, choose the number of beds you want, etc., etc. Very difficult work.

Charlie Manuel said it was evidently a communication problem. Yes it was.

Castillo_tweetWhenever you feel like it, Luis.

I guess be here today to play second base for one of the best team's in baseball doesn't translate well from English to Spanish.

Castillo didn't exactly have to go far. He lives in Miami near where the Mets hold spring training in Port St. Lucie. The flight between Miami and Clearwater is less than an hour. Considering that he officially accepted his tryout with the Phillies late Sunday, you would think that would have given him enough time to hop one of the seven flights (at least) between Miami and Tampa yesterday- especially since he has essentially a week to prove himself. This blogger's delayed flight didn't leave Tampa until 11 P.M. last night. It arrived in Baltimore at around 1, which meant I got back to good 'ol Delco at 3 A.M. Boom- blogging at 9:30. It can be done, Luis. Of course, I'm not wearing pants and drinking coffee… sooo, there's that.

UPDATE: Ruben Amaro said Castillo is driving across state and is expected to report at 1 P.M. today. He will be in the lineup tomorrow. The Phillies had a doctor waiting at Bright House Field this morning to give Castillo a physical. He had to be sent home.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2011 ex-New York Mets.