Rehabbing Castillo participating in baseball activities

PITTSBURGH -- Welington Castillo, on the disabled list with rib cage inflammation, is doing baseball activities in Mesa, Ariz. The catcher has so far had no setbacks, manager Rick Renteria said.

Castillo took 25-30 dry swings, 15-20 swings off a batting tee and did some running, Renteria said Wednesday.

The Cubs have missed Castillo's bat, as well as his play calling. Chicago's catchers are batting a combined .206, and Castillo was hitting .242 with five home runs and 21 RBIs over 43 games before being sidelined.

Veteran Eli Whiteside was called up from Triple-A Iowa when Castillo was injured, and he was pressed into duty after John Baker bruised his vocal cords when he was hit by a foul ball in his throat. Whiteside was hitless in 12 at-bats entering Wednesday. Baker, who entered Wednesday batting .154, got the start against the Pirates.

"Whitey and Baker are both experienced Major League catchers," Renteria said. "It helps in depth when you have someone like Whitey, who has been with us since [Spring Training]. You know how he is as a receiver. He was part of a World Series champion club when he was with the Giants."