MESA, Ariz.– After eight years and a three-week delay, Santiago Casilla is glad to be back where it all began for him with the A’s.
Casilla arrived at Hohokam Stadium on Sunday morning, greeting his new teammates and ready to go to work on a new season. He was late because he signed so late in the spring, on a two-year deal with the A’s, and subsequently had visa problems.
“We’ve been looking forward to getting him here,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Obviously it wasn’t his fault he’s a little bit late.”
Casilla said he worked out at the A’s academy in the Dominican Republic to stay on track for the season.