Extra bases

• Alfonso Soriano did not start Friday, getting a breather in the Cubs' first game of a three-game series against the Reds. Manager Dale Sveum said Soriano, 37, will definitely be in the lineup for next week's Interleague series against the White Sox, which starts Monday.

Soriano is one option as the designated hitter, and Sveum said he's also considering Dioner Navarro and Welington Castillo.

The Cubs are expected to face lefties Jose Quintana and Chris Sale in the first two games against the White Sox. Sveum has hinted that he'll tweak the lineup he's used so far against southpaw starters and include some of the left-handed hitters. Any tips?

"I don't know," Sveum said. "Wait and see."

Starlin Castro, who appeared to injure his right ankle sliding into second base on Thursday, was in the lineup on Friday. The shortstop now has appeared in 243 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the National League and second longest in baseball. Prince Fielder has appeared in 389 games in a row.

"I'm good to go," Castro said.

• Chris Rusin threw six shutout innings, striking out four and scattering six hits, in Triple-A Iowa's 4-0 win over Las Vegas on Thursday.

• Outfielder Albert Almora was 4-for-7 with two doubles and scored a run in his second game with Class A Kane County, a 9-8, 14-inning loss to Peoria. Almora, who broke the hamate bone in his left hand in Spring Training, is now 7-for-11 in two games.