Extra bases

• Javier Baez has started 11 games at second base for Triple-A Iowa, and all reports have been good, Hoyer said on Tuesday. The Cubs also like Baez's play at shortstop; Hoyer wanted to be clear that Baez is playing second not because he can't play short but to increase his versatility.

"Before we moved him to play a lot of second, our reports were really good on his shortstop play," Hoyer said. "His hands are really good, his range is surprisingly good. We definitely feel he can play shortstop."

Hoyer said that there are three players in the organization who can play shortstop in the Majors, including Baez, Russell and Starlin Castro.

• The Cubs were one of 28 teams watching Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo work out in Miami on Saturday, sending five people to watch the speedster.

"We scouted him heavily, and beyond that I couldn't comment," Hoyer said.

The Cubs have been active in the international market, and signed Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler in June 2012.

• There is no timetable for right-hander Dan Straily to join the Cubs. Straily, acquired from the Athletics in the July 4 deal for Samardzija and Hammel, is working as a starter at Triple-A Iowa.

"He's getting himself back on track," Renteria said of Straily, who is 0-3 with a 5.85 ERA in four starts with Iowa.