Montero's early exit leaves Chicago Cubs catching situation in flux

The Cubs' catching situation is in flux again because of injury.

Miguel Montero left Saturday's 5-1 loss to the White Sox after the second inning because of a jammed left thumb.

He was to undergo an MRI. Taylor Teagarden, brought up last weekend from Class AAA Iowa, took over for Montero. Backup catcher David Ross has been on the 7-day concussion disabled list since July 4. He's been cleared medically to play, and the Cubs may have to activate him for Sunday's series finale.

“We're not sure,” manager Joe Maddon said of Montero's health. “He's going to get tests right now. I'm not 100 percent sure.”

Montero is third on the team with 10 home runs. Both Ross and Teagarden are known for their defense and handling of pitchers more so than for their hitting.

No comparison whatsoever:

Joe Maddon is experiencing his first Cubs-White Sox series. He managed previously in Tampa Bay. Although the Rays and the Miami Marlins tried to create a rivalry, Maddon has said that it's difficult to contrive a rivalry.

“If there was a team in Tampa and a team in St. Petersburg, then I think it would be more of that,” he said. “But this rivalry down there consisted of a 2½-hour car ride. And the two teams are way too young to be there yet, I think, also.”

Chicago is something different, with the Cubs and White Sox being charter members of their leagues. Maddon got his first taste of Cubs-Sox ballpark atmosphere Friday.

“What happened yesterday, I love yesterday, personally,” he said. “If you really get into this business or want to be in this position and want to be part of a moment like that, that's spectacular. The play was great, both sides. Each team played really well. The fan support was ridiculously great. The atmosphere is … where could it be better? I have no idea what could be better. It's impossible. I said it yesterday and mean it sincerely. I feel really, really fortunate to be included.”

Needing a break:

Shortstop Starlin Castro made a pair of nice defensive plays Saturday. It's been a struggle of late at the plate, though. He was 1-for-3 and has a hitting line of .249/.285.323.

A three-time all-star, this year's break will be a time for Castro to refresh and reflect.

“I want everybody to kind of like stop and slow it down a little bit, take a break and then come back fresh,” Joe Maddon said. “That's the best way to do it. Guys that have maybe not had their best work in the first half will probably spend some time thinking about it. We put in so much work with these guys daily.

There's a lot going on every day. That's the part where even if somebody's not been successful, that's been taken care of. And it's a hard game. With Starlin, we just keep pushing it forward and keep up the work and keep up the encouraging message and hope it's going to play. That's all you can believe in and work on, that it's going to pay off.”

• Catch up on the week's analysis and game stories about the Cubs with our newsletter. Click here to sign up.