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D-Backs non-tender Castillo, De La Rosa

Thomas B. Shea / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Arizona Diamondbacks opted not to tender contracts to right-handed pitcher Rubby De La Rosa and catcher Welington Castillo on Friday, making them free agents.

"We're trying to create strategic payroll flexibility," general manager Mike Hazen told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "I think it opens up some opportunities for us going into the winter meetings to address some other areas that we needed to."

Castillo hit .264/.322/.423 with 14 home runs, 24 doubles, and 68 RBIs in 113 games last season and was entering his final year under team control. He was projected to earn $5.9 million through salary arbitration this winter, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

The 29-year-old now hits the free-agent market as one of the top catching options behind Matt Wieters, while the Diamondbacks will likely move Chris Herrmann into the No.1 catcher role after a strong 2016 season.

De La Rosa spent the last two seasons with Arizona going 18-14 with a 4.59 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts over 239 1/3 innings. He was limited to only 50 2/3 innings last season due to elbow issues and was projected to earn $3 million through arbitration.

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