Castillo makes it after years of struggles

33-year-old rookie will make big league debut with O's TORONTO -- Alberto Castillo has had a life full of defining moments, but he'll still hold a special place in his heart for his big-league debut. Castillo, who defected from his native Cuba at age 18, has persevered through Tommy John surgery in his right elbow, seven years of Independent League baseball and assorted bouts of rejection to get to his current point. And now, whenever he gets in a game, the 33-year-old rookie will know that his journey has been worth the wait. Castillo, who was promoted to the Orioles on Tuesday, is excited to finally step on a big league mound. "It's a great feeling," he said. "It's been a long time since I came to this country in 1994. All those years of playing in the Independent League and I finally worked my way out. I've reached my... [read full story]