Cubs catcher Welington Castillo to see more action

Welington Castillo made his fourth start of the season behind the plate Friday night at Miller Park.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he wanted to give No. 1 catcher Geovany Soto two days off, including Thursday’s open date in the schedule.

Castillo came up from Class AAA Iowa on April 28 after backup Steve Clevenger went on the disabled list. Last year, Castillo came up when Soto got hurt, but then-manager Mike Quade rarely played him, instead opting for veteran backup Koyie Hill most days.

Sooner or later, the Cubs will have to find out what they have in the 25-year-old Castillo, especially if they want to trade Soto during the season.

“We know what we got,” Sveum said. “We got a guy that can be an everyday catcher because of his arm, because of the way he handles pitchers, receives the ball. He blocks everything. He does everything as a catcher, and the numbers he’s put up hitting, you have to find him time. You don’t want a guy developing in the big leagues playing once a week. You’ve got to find more time for him.”

At Iowa, Castillo threw out seven of 14 baserunners attempting to steal. At the plate, he had a line of .320/.435/.520 with 2 homers.

Old home week:

Dale Sveum had a lot of catching up to do before the game. He played for the Brewers from 1986-91 and served as a coach (and short-time interim manager) from 2006-11.

“It seems weird because you’re not part of it anymore, especially when you come to this stadium,” he said. “It’s kind of strange that way.

“I spent a lot of years in this city, at the old stadium and the new stadium. It is a part of you, there’s no doubt about it. So it’s nice to come back for a few days and see everybody, especially when you come to a beautiful ballpark.”

Closing time:

Rafael Dolis figures to get the closing opportunities against the Brewers. It’s gone that way anyway in the wake of closer Carlos Marmol being demoted.

James Russell is the only lefty in the pen, and he’ll likely set up.

“You’re open minded to everything for the most part, but the bottom line is performance,” Dale Sveum said. “We talked about it in spring training. Was Dolis going to be able to handle the seventh, eighth and ninth inning with the lead? And we all know that he has.”