Chicago Cubs' Castro on move to second 'I just want to play'

Starlin Castro had not played any position since Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon benched him after last Thursday's game against the Giants.

But there he was Tuesday, both in early work and during batting practice, taking grounders and making throws from second base. Castro got into Tuesday night's game against the Brewers at second in the top of the sixth inning.

Meanwhile, his agent was in town to lend moral support.

Castro lost his job to rookie Addison Russell after putting up a batting line of .236/.271/.304 and committing 18 errors.

"I don't mind; I just want to play," Castro said of practicing at second base. "No matter where they have to put me, I just want to be in the lineup. No matter if it's at second or if it's at short, it doesn't matter.

"Every infielder can play any position, especially middle infield. Taking groundballs earlier today and in (batting) practice, I feel good. Whatever can help the team win, we don't think about 'me.' We think about 'us.' "

Maddon has used Jonathan Herrera as a defensive replacement for Chris Coghlan, who has moved from left field to second base. Maddon said part of that was to take advantage of Herrera's defense and to keep Castro's bat ready in case he was needed to pinch hit.

Player agents often come to Chicago to meet with their players and to chat with team officials, and it's not unusual for Castro's agent, Paul Kinzer, to do so.

Kinzer said Castro was "disappointed, but he's not going to do anything to hurt the team."

The Cubs were not able to trade Castro by the July 31 nonwaiver deadline, but there's little doubt they put him on waivers and that he cleared.

While saying things would play out, Kinzer conceded that sometimes "a change of scenery" is not always a bad thing, even though he said Castro loves Chicago and the Cubs.

"I wish the people knew him better and how classy he is," Kinzer said.

Maddon added that if Castro does get a start again, it would be at second base, with Russell remaining at short. In addition, Maddon said it's possible Castro could start a game at shortstop and give Russell a day off.

La Stella optioned:

The Cubs activated infielder Tommy La Stella off the disabled list and optioned him to Class AAA Iowa.

La Stella had been on the disabled list since April with a rib-cage injury. He played in only two games. The Cubs obtained him in a trade last November from Atlanta and hoped he would be a big part of the major-league club as a multi-position infielder and on-base threat at the plate.

The plan now is for La Stella to play at Iowa. It may be that he won't be back until September call-ups are made, but Joe Maddon was publicly leaving the door open for a sooner return.

"Listen, we're still very interested in him," Maddon said. "We need for him to get back up here. Right now we're doing OK so just continue to get into better baseball shape and continue to swing your bat, because he's a really good offensive player."

Ross back; Szczur back down:

Catcher David Ross returned to the Cubs after being on the bereavement list following the death of his grandmother. To make room, the team optioned outfielder Matt Szczur back to Iowa.