July 31--Despite relentless speculation about his future, shortstop Starlin Castro will return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup Thursday night at Milwaukee.
Manager Joe Maddon told Castro late Tuesday night that Castro wasn't going to be traded before Friday's 3 p.m. trade deadline. But numerous reports indicated the Cubs are trying to trade their three-time National League All-Star shortstop.
Quite simply, there's been virtually no interest in the 25-year-old Castro, who is batting .237, has committed 17 errors and willl earn around $43 million through 2019.
The Cubs remain engaged in talks with the San Diego Padres involving pitchers Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy, according to an NL source. But competition for Ross may intensify now that Cole Hamels and David Price have been traded within the past 24 hours. The Astros are among the teams believed to be interested in Ross, who has a 3.38 ERA with 137 strikeouts but a league-high 61 walks in 127 2/3 innings.
Meanwhile, rookie third baseman Kris Bryant won't start. Maddon indicated Wednesday that he planned to give Bryant a rest. Bryant was 3-for-24 on the Cubs' recent homestand.
Chris Coghlan will bat third and start at third in place of Bryant. Coghlan has made eight starts at third base in 2013 for the Marlins.
Here is the Cubs' lineup
Fowler cf
Schwarber lf
Coghlan 3b
Rizzo 1b
Soler rf
Castro ss
Ross c
Arrieta p
A. Russell 2b
