Chicago Cubs’ Welington Castillo joins Iowa Cubs on rehab assignment

According to a press release from the Iowa Cubs, Chicago Cubs’ catcher Welington Castillo has joined the team as part of a Major League rehab assignment as he works back from a rib injury that sidelined him in early June.

"Castillo hit .242 (39-for-161) with eight doubles, five homers and 21 RBI in 43 games with Chicago this year before being placed on the disabled list on June 3 with a left rib cage injury. He is in his second full major league season and has batted .263 (196-for-744) with 46 doubles 19 homers and 80 RBI over 219 big league games, covering parts of three years."

In his absence, the Cubs have lacked virtually any offense from the catching position, relying on the likes of John Baker and Eli Whiteside to handle the catching duties. Baker, in 32 games, has a triple-slash of .163/.223/.186 with no home runs and just four RBIs. If that sounds bad, keep in mind that Whiteside has a triple-slash of .091/.087/.091 in seven contests.

Chicago also signed veteran backstop Yorvit Torrealba to a minor league deal for added depth at the backstop position.