Feb. 5 -- FABIO LOOKS GOOD

No, not that Fabio.

While all of us were watching Super Bowl XLI, Phillies left-hander Fabio Castro allowed just two hits in five innings Sunday night to lead the Dominican Republic to a 12-0 rout of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series at Carolina, Puerto Rico. Castro struck out four and walked four to earn the victory, and with his solid performances all season in the Dominican Winter League, he may have the inside track on a spot in the Phillies' bullpen.

Castro, 22, posted a 1.86 ERA and struck out 31 batters in 29 innings for Gigantes del Cibao. The Phillies were thinking of using Castro as a starting pitcher at Class AAA Ottawa this season, but with their lack of depth in the bullpen, he may have more immediate value as a reliever.

The Phillies acquired Castro in June from the Texas Rangers for left-hander Daniel Haigwood. Castro had been a Rule 5 draft pick last winter, so the Phillies had to keep him in the majors for the rest of the season or risk losing him to his original team, the Chicago White Sox. Castro made 16 relief appearances, mostly in lopsided games, and posted a 1.54 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 23.1 innings.

Presently, the Phillies bullpen includes closer Tom Gordon, right-handers Ryan Madson and Geoff Geary and lone lefty Matt Smith. Antonio Alfonseca will have a chance to make the team in spring training. That still leaves 1-2 spots for Castro, fellow lefty Eude Brito or right-handers Anderson Garcia, Alfredo Simon and Jim Ed Warden. Of course, the Phillies could still trade Jon Lieber for relief help, or keep Lieber and put Adam Eaton in the bullpen.

But, all of that will get sorted out in spring training, which, by the way, is only nine days away.