Castillo to DL; Clevenger coming along

The Cubs got some mixed news on the injury fronts Wednesday as they returned to Wrigley from their road trip to Milwaukee and St. Louis.

Right-handed reliever Lendy Castillo, who sees little action, came down with a left-groin strain over the weekend in St. Louis and had to go on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 12. The Cubs recalled left-handed reliever Scott Maine from Class AAA Iowa.

Castillo is a Rule 5 draft pick who had not pitched above Class A ball before this year. The Cubs plucked him from the Phillies system, and they must keep him on the major-league roster all year or risk losing him.

"Sunday, he said he felt it running, tried to do stuff on Monday, tried to run and just kind of go through it," said Cubs manager Dale Sveum. "Then he was really, really tender on Tuesday when he woke up."

On the flip side, backup catcher Steve Clevenger said he took about 15 swings off a tee and 15 "soft-toss" swings as he rehabs from a strained right oblique. Clevenger, who has been on the DL retroactive to April 26, is targeting a return date of May 25, when the Cubs open a series at Pittsburgh.

"It's exciting to finally do something," Clevenger said. "I've never really been on the DL. It's been tough watching these guys play. I've been throwing about a week now."

Clevenger may go out on a minor-league rehab assignment by the end of this homestand. He seemed pleased with the progress.

"It was supposed to be a 4-6-week injury," he said. "It's coming along good. Just keep progressing every day."

Reliever Carlos Marmol threw in the outfield Wednesday and reported good progress with his right-hamstring strain. Marmol went on the DL May 12. He also is likely to do a minor-league rehab.

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Left fielder Alfonso Soriano seemed relieved to have hit his first homer in Tuesday's series finale at St. Louis.

"It feels great," he said. "I had six weeks and had not hit one. I was a little worried because I think the team needs my offense a lot. We have a lot of young talent, but they need my offense, too."

Manager Dale Sveum said he hoped Soriano would start a hot streak.

"A lot of home run hitters and prolific guys like that in their careers are streaky," Sveum said. "That just kind of comes with the territory sometimes. I think with Sori, he's still hitting .400 with men in scoring position and two outs and .370 overall (actually .314). So he's getting the job done, there too, when guys are in scoring position. For the things he goes through with his legs, he's done a pretty good job in left field, too."