Nothing official, but Rondon is Cubs' closer

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is stopping just short of formally declaring Hector Rondon the team's closer, even though Rondon is pretty much that.

“I prefer not saying anything because he's doing so well,” Maddon said Sunday. “Just go play. Right now he's pitching in the ninth inning.”

Rondon, who did not pitch in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the White Sox, leads the Cubs with 21 saves. Maddon has used others in the ninth inning, but mostly when Rondon has struggled or has needed a rest.

Others getting saves this year are Jason Motte, Pedro Strop, Justin Grimm, Travis Wood, Tommy Hunter and James Russell.

“I like what Grimm's doing,” Maddon said. “How about Grimm (Saturday)? Oh, my God. Those (velocity) numbers are heavy up on the board, and the command's there and the breaking ball's there.

“That could be so great moving it down the road. You probably will see Ronnie pitch a lot in the ninth inning, but I like what he's doing. I don't want to put any other burden on his mind.”

Evaluating Castro:

Starlin Castro made his third straight start at second base. He committed an error in the first inning when he dropped the throw from shortstop Addison Russell on what would have been a forceout to end the inning.

The error wound up not costing the Cubs. Joe Maddon said he's OK with how Castro has played the position.

“I'll tell you one thing: He is ready to roll, man,” Maddon said. “His look yesterday before the game was as good as I've seen all year.

“I think he's a wonderful young man. I have a lot of respect for his work. He cares, and I'll defend anybody that cares.”

The kid has poise:

Kyle Schwarber was not in Sunday's lineup, but he did pinch hit in the eighth inning, striking out before going into left field. Joe Maddon said he liked the way Schwarber handled nearly being hit with a almost-full beer container while playing left field Saturday night.

“It looks like he's done it before somehow,” Maddon said. “Tough crowds at Indiana University. I like the way he handled the whole moment. I think our guys did a great job with it. It's kind of entertaining and interesting, as long as nobody gets hurt. That's the big thing. But I thought he handled the entire moment really well.”

Not quite super:

Joe Maddon was asked if he had any superstitions.

“I'm just a little ‘stitious,'” he said, pausing a moment to allow that to sink in. “I'll concede one thing: I've worn the same pair of socks for many days to and from the ballpark.”

Those socks were likely to get thrown into the washing machine after Sunday's loss.