Starlin Castro Might Finally Get a Day Off and Other Bullets

Jun 09, 2013

Back at it …

Sahadev Sharma writes at length about Starlin Castro’s struggles this year, and, more broadly, his adjustments since mid-season in 2012. Dale Sveum points to some extra movement in Castro’s swing and other possible mechanical (read: correctable) issues. Give it a read.

Speaking of which, Sveum said he’s finally considering giving Castro a day off. “It’s getting closer,” Sveum said, per ESPN. “I am thinking about it more, I should say. When we gave people days off because of struggles, it isn’t physical. It is just usually a mental day off to sit back, watch and get a breather.” Castro has one of the longest active consecutive games played streaks in baseball (longest in the NL), having played in every game in 2012 and every game so far this year. But, I mean, who cares? If you’re not Cal Ripken or Lou Gehrig, that streak just doesn’t matter. Take a day off, relax, watch the game, get better.

Sahadev also spoke with Cubs VP of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod about the Draft, another piece worth checking out. In addition to noting that third round pick Jacob Hannemann, the 22-year-old BYU freshman center fielder, was a guy the Cubs decided they “just had to have,” McLeod was complimentary of second round pick Rob Zastryzny, whom some have criticized as a reach. Zastryzny is strong and athletic, and when he’s right, he can miss a lot of bats in the strike zone, according to McLeod. (For my part, those second and third round picks should be judge in relation to (1) what they cost to sign, and (2) what they allow the Cubs to do in the rest of the Draft. To my mind, the Cubs took quite a few over slot players throughout the later rounds, and if getting Zastryzny and Hannemann slightly under slot – guys they wanted anyway – allows the Cubs to sign a big chunk of those over slot types, then the picks were great.)

Kyuji Fujikawa’s Tommy John surgery is finally scheduled after the swelling subsided in his elbow. He’s got a date with Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday. Don’t look for him to pitch for the Cubs again until the second half of 2014.

Ian Stewart hit three homers in a game for Iowa yesterday, and, despite then playing a second game in which he went 0-4, his OPS still climbed more than 100 points on the day. It’s still at just .613, though.

The Cubs’ short season rosters (Boise and Arizona) should be announced very soon, but it looks like Jesse Hodges, at least, will be at Boise. The Canadian third baseman was signed as an undrafted free agent last year, and he was always regarded as better than your typical undrafted free agent.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Loading Up on Righties

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...

Michael Cerami

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oh, Good, Yency Almonte is Now Also Hurt

Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Credit to Assad, Huge Ups to Brown, Hopes for Taillon, Happ’s Bat and Glove, Bellinger History, and Other Cubs Bullets

How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

24 Years Ago Today, Glenallen Hill Hit a Home Run ONTO a Wrigley Field Rooftop

In 2015, Kyle Schwarber hit a monster home run onto the top of the right field scoreboard at Wrigley Field, where it stayed for the remainder of the postseason. Watching the game live, I remember thinking "Dang, he got all...

Michael Cerami

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cade Horton Had His First Really Rough Night

Usually, I like to use this space to celebrate a great game from a top Cubs prospect, but sometimes, it's important to note when the other thing happens. Last night, Cade Horton had his very first really bad start. He...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Pirates 2 – May 10, 2024

Although I'm sure Craig Counsell would've preferred not to have to use Ben Brown today, just in case Jameson Taillon can't go on Sunday. But *if* you were going to have to use Brown today, that was an absolute best-case...

Brett Taylor

May 10, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

Expect a display of power when Marcell Ozuna (12 HR) and the Atlanta Braves (24-12) take on Pete Alonso (4 HR) and the New York Mets (18-20) at Citi Field at 7:10 PM ET live on ESPN. Ozuna and the...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Chicago Bulls

What are the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery Odds?

The NBA Draft Lottery has arrived. Despite the lackluster nature of this year's prospect pool, this remains a highly-anticipated day for teams around the league. The truth of the matter is that the opportunity to snag a high pick is...

Elias Schuster

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Loading Up on Righties

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Picks

Top Player Prop Bets for Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

Player props are listed for Pascal Siakam and Jalen Brunson, among others, when the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.How to Watch Pacers vs. KnicksDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 3:30...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 12

Following a stretch of four consecutive wins, the Atlanta Braves (24-12) play the New York Mets (18-20) at 7:10 PM ET on Sunday.The Braves will give the nod to Bryce Elder (1-1, 5.28 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 2...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Monday, May 13, 2024

The sportsbooks prefer the Colorado Avalanche at home (-135) over the Dallas Stars (+114) when they meet on Monday, May 13 at 9:30 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-135)Underdog: Stars (+114)Total: 6.5Best Avalanche...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Release the Ping Pong Balls, Second Round Picks, MJ’s 3-Point Shooting, and Other Bulls Bullets

If there was an Equipment Manager of the Year award, I think my aunt might deserve it. Having to leave at about 5 a.m. to drive to my sibling's college graduation on Saturday, I may have kinda sorta broken my...

Elias Schuster

May 12, 2024

Picks

Hurricanes vs. Rangers NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 5 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

The oddsmakers are expecting a close game between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers on Monday in New York City, with the Hurricanes given moneyline odds of -118 and the Rangers at -102.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Hurricanes vs. Rangers...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

World Championships Updates, Great Stars, Canes Survive, Still No Q, and Other Blackhawks Mother’s Day Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...