Starlin Castro Will Take Grounders At Second Base, Third Base

Could they move him to center field?

It’s a lot of movement, but at the moment the pieces of this intricate puzzle are fitting together perfectly, as the Cubs have won 11 of their last 12 games.

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However, that patience appears to be wearing thin as Castro officially made the move to second base and could be on his way out sooner rather than later.

“He’s been huge”, pitcher Kyle Hendricks said. “It’s pretty fun to watch”.

The Red Sox also were expected to be without closer Koji Uehara, who was hit on his throwing arm by a comebacker on the final play of Friday night’s win over the Tigers.

Anthony Rizzo marveled at how Schwarber has done all this while getting a crash course on how to catch at the major-league level as well as switching to a position (left field) that he played just 36 games at in the minor leagues before his call-up.

It’s not just Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman Kris Bryant who’s producing. He later added, “We don’t think about me, we think about us”. “Having his name in the lineup is extremely important to us”.

Each time Castro got the clutch hit, I didn’t hear anyone saying they wanted him traded. “It’s been fun watching him play”. Manager Joe Maddon admitted he is a big fan of Russell.

Or better yet, maybe Cub fans have taken on an all or nothing attitude this year.

While Castro’s tenure in Chicago could be over in a few short months, one of the premiere starting pitching free agents could be a Cub once the season ends.

“By playing Jonny over [Castro] in these games is not a slight to Starlin, it’s just strategic”, Maddon said. He’s very confident right now – he’s different compared to the beginning of the season. “He’ll work through it. He’s got an incredible work ethic”.

“I feel a little frustrated, especially yesterday when they tell me I’m not going to play for I don’t know when”, the 25-year-old Castro said.

Schwarber is proving himself to be a one-way player.

“Yes and no [there was a sense of surprise on Schwarber’s success]”, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said. His age 26 through 29 seasons, you’d think, should be the most productive of his career, likely the reason Theo & Co. signed him to that contract extension three summers ago. He came to town to support Castro during the roughest time of his career.

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“That’s his mentality”, Kinzer said.

“It’s going to differ, depending on the type of play”, Russell said. “There aren’t many guys like that….”

“It’s been impressive to see and it’s been impressive to see the adjustments he’s made offensively and defensively behind the plate”.