Cubs' Castro gets in some extra hitting work

Cubs manager Joe Maddon has been a proponent of the less-is-more theory when it comes to everyday batting practice. On some days, the Cubs do not conduct formal batting practice.

But hours before Monday night's game against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field, shortstop Starlin Castro was out on the field for some early hitting work.

Part of the routine was taking some one-handed swings at pitches soft-tossed by hitting coach John Mallee. Castro entered Monday batting .233, and he was 9-for-74 over his previous 20 games. Last year he batted .292 in a bounce-back season.

"We are looking at last year, juxtaposing that with this year," Maddon said of studying Castro's work. "I tell you, there are some differences, but they're so small. Sometimes you have to sacrifice comfort for function. But sometimes you sacrifice function for comfort. You become more comfortable, and it's not necessarily functional.

"You've really got to watch that closely. It happens, not just to him, but to a lot of guys. You just get away from what you did, the normal patterns. All of a sudden it starts feeling normal, but it's not good, and it's hard to get back to what you have been.

"He is more open (in his batting stance), there's no question."

Trying it again:

Infielder Tommy La Stella made an appearance at Wrigley Field as he nears a minor league rehab assignment.

La Stella went on the disabled list April 9 with inflammation in his right rib cage. He reinjured himself while on his first rehab assignment. He is in town to get checked out by the Cubs' medical staff.

"If everything's good, hopefully start a rehab assignment," he said.

La Stella was the Cubs' opening-night second baseman, and he started at third base in the second game of the season.

The Cubs obtained him from Atlanta in a trade last November and hoped he could play the infield and add some on-base ability.

"I really didn't anticipate anything like that happening," he said of the second setback. "I thought I was good to go."

Beeler to start:

Right-hander Dallas Beeler will come up from Class AAA Iowa to start Tuesday night. Beeler has made 2 starts for the Cubs this year, both coming as the 26th man on the roster for doubleheaders. He is 0-0 with a 6.43 ERA. Last year he went 0-2 with a 3.27 ERA.

The Cubs also announced that they have released veteran right-hander Edwin Jackson. He was designated for assignment on July 19.