{"id":147650,"date":"2025-08-15T11:12:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T11:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/147650\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T11:12:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T11:12:13","slug":"cubs-willi-castro-is-a-man-of-many-gloves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/147650\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs’ Willi Castro is a man of many gloves"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs are trying to get rolling as they return home for a stretch that features their final five regular-season games versus the soaring Milwaukee Brewers.<\/p>\n

Top prospect Owen Caissie earned his first big-league call-up<\/a> in his home country Thursday in Toronto, with catcher Miguel Amaya going back on the injured list<\/a> with a left ankle sprain he sustained in his first game off the 60-day IL.<\/p>\n

The Chicago White Sox just completed a 2-4 homestand against the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers. They\u2019ll continue working through the American League Central this weekend with three games against the Royals in Kansas City, Mo.<\/p>\n

Every week during the regular season, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened \u2014 and what\u2019s ahead \u2014 for the Cubs<\/a> and White Sox<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Want more? Sign up for our Cubs Insider<\/a> and White Sox Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cubs\u2019 Willi Castro showing why he\u2019s so valuable<\/p>\n

When Willi Castro is on a road trip, the utilityman typically brings three mitts with him.<\/p>\n

Two are for playing the infield and a third for the outfield. Castro estimates he has five or six gloves back at the Cubs clubhouse at Wrigley Field with another 25 at his home.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust in case, I\u2019ve got some backups,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Life as a versatile defender means constant preparation for multiple positions. Since joining the Cubs on July 31 in a deadline deal with the Minnesota Twins<\/a>, Castro has started at five positions: second base, third base and all three outfield spots.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know a lot of teams wanted me at the trade deadline,\u201d Castro said. \u201cThat was a good fit over here, come here to help the team. I feel every time they put me in a different position every day, I feel natural at it. It is part of the work that I got through the years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CubsCubs outfielder Willi Castro makes a sliding catch in the sixth inning Aug. 6, 2025, at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

Castro\u2019s pregame routine can vary depending on whether he\u2019s starting or on the bench. If he\u2019s in the lineup, he makes sure to get reps at that position. Otherwise, he takes ground balls at his three infield positions before moving to the outfield to shag flies.<\/p>\n

Castro\u2019s presence allows manager Craig Counsell to find more rest for his regulars and be creative with in-game moves.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat job is mostly about (embracing) playing the different positions,\u201d Counsell said, \u201cbecause you can\u2019t overcomplicate that. You understand that it\u2019s going to be hard going into a game at a different position and having a tough chance and just letting that be: \u2018Hey, that was a tough chance and I\u2019ve got to make the next one, or I might have to make the next one tomorrow at a different position.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a mindset that you have to play with when you\u2019re asked to do what we\u2019re going to ask Willi to do, and that\u2019s something he\u2019s proven that he\u2019s good at.\u201d<\/p>\n

White Sox\u2019s Miguel Vargas makes quick recovery
\n\"WhiteWhite Sox infielders, from left, Curtis Mead, Colson Montgomery, Lenyn Sosa and Miguel Vargas look on during the ninth inning against the Tigers on Aug. 13, 2025, at Rate Field. (Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Miguel Vargas was a late scratch before an Aug. 2 game against the Los Angeles Angels because of a left oblique strain<\/a>. The corner infielder landed on the 10-day injured list<\/a>\u00a0the next day.<\/p>\n

Vargas made a quick recovery and returned to the Sox lineup Tuesday against the Tigers.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeans a lot,\u201d Vargas said of returning. \u201cWas a little sad the last couple days, trying to come back here, trying to play with the guys and help them. Very glad to get back here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vargas went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run in a 9-6 victory at Rate Field<\/a>, then went 0-for-3 in Wednesday\u2019s 1-0 loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was better each at-bat,\u201d manager Will Venable said Wednesday of Vargas\u2019 return the night before. \u201cHe\u2019s been grinding off the Trajek (machine) and he put himself in a really good spot to be prepared. There\u2019s nothing like game action.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought every pitch, every at-bat, we saw the timing better, the swing decisions better \u2014 drawing the walk later in the game was nice. It was a great day for him, and (I) expect to see him hitting the ball around the ballpark here pretty soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vargas said after Tuesday\u2019s game that the oblique \u201cfelt good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t feel anything there today, so I\u2019m happy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He felt positive throughout that it wouldn\u2019t be a lengthy absence, saying he\u00a0\u201cwas crushing the rehab thing.\u201d He played first base Tuesday and Wednesday with trade-deadline addition Curtis Mead<\/a> at third.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now as we\u2019re set up, he\u2019s our guy over there at first base,\u201d Venable said of Vargas. \u201cWe\u2019ve talked about Mead and the potential of them flipping; there may be days where that happens. But for today, he\u2019s over at first base. But we know that can change quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vargas has a .226\/.304\/.396 slash line with 25 doubles, 13 homers, 44 RBIs and 58 runs in 108 games this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how he\u2019s been doing \u2014 and we\u2019ve seen the highs and lows of the performance this year \u2014 he\u2019s just been extremely consistent on a day-to-day basis,\u201d Venable said. \u201cHe works extremely hard, gives our group energy and is positive every single day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Number of the week: 7<\/p>\n

The Sox lead the majors with seven catcher pickoffs this season. Edgar Quero leads the big leagues with four.<\/p>\n

Week ahead: Cubs<\/p>\n