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Castellanos back as Tigers rest Martinez

SAN DIEGO -- No, Brad Ausmus hadn't forgotten about Nick Castellanos. But he wasn't going to sit Victor Martinez to play him on most Interleague nights. Saturday was the night.

While Martinez got a night off, Castellanos, rated Detroit's No. 1 prospect this year by MLB.com, returned to his normal post at third base, with Miguel Cabrera back at first. It was his second start in four games on this trip and the latest in the juggling act Ausmus has tried to play to keep hitters from gathering rust without the DH.

"The juggling here is not having guys sit too long," Ausmus said. "I mean, Nick hasn't done anything to deserve not to play. It's just the National League format and the way our roster is set up for an American League format."

Martinez will return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale, Ausmus said, though before Saturday's game it was unclear at which position. It would not be a surprise if he got back behind the plate to catch Max Scherzer, one of the pitchers he caught in Spring Training.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason.
Read More: Detroit Tigers, Nick Castellanos