Jose Castillo died in a car accident in Venezuela last night along with Luis Valbuena. Castillo was the Giants’ Opening Day third baseman in 2008 and had 420 plate appearances in his single season with the team. He was claimed by the Astros on August waivers. Most famously, he was involved in the Giants’ first home triple play turned since 1980.
Castillo and Valbuena were driving together after a game for the winter league’s Cardenales de Lara. In this translated version of the story:
They occupied a vehicle with third baseman Carlos Rivero, who was able to survive the accident that occurred on the track between the states of Yaracuy and Lara.