Chicago Cubs catcher Welington Castillo has knee surgery

Chicago Cubs catcher Welington Castillo underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this weekend, according to Hardball Talk.

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

"Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that Cubs catcher Welington Castillo underwent arthroscopic surgery — as scheduled — this weekend on his banged-up right knee.The procedure was deemed a success and Castillo is expected to be fully recovered in 4-6 weeks."

While Hardball Talk does cite Gonzales as their source, no news from the scribe appears on the Tribune website nor his Twitter feed.

Castillo, 26, suffered a partial meniscus tear in his right knee on September 20 against the Milwaukee Brewers when he ran to first on a routine grounder. For Castillo, this is the second surgery since the end of the season to repair his torn meniscus. Each knee has two disc that cushion the knee for balance and weight placement, and the first surgery occurred on Sept. 23.

In his first season as the Cubs regular catcher he hit .217 (103-for-380) with 23 doubles, eight home runs, 32 RBIs, and walked 34 times in 113 games. He hit .288/.388/.475 with six home runs and 17 RBIs in 41 games after the All-Star break.

The Cubs project Castillo as the opening day starter despise his injury. Castillo made $503,000 in 2013, and he is not eligible for arbitration until the 2015 season.

The Cubs are searching for a backup catcher for Castillo. Dioner Navarro played that role last season and hit .300 in 240 at-bats with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs in 89 games, but is a free-agent. Former Giants catcher Eli Whiteside and the Cubs agreed to a Minor League deal on November 16, and the Cubs are also looking at free agent Kurt Suzuki to back up and mentor Castillo.

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