Baseball
Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro was held out of the starting lineup against Atlanta last night, one night after television cameras caught him not paying attention in the field as a pitch was thrown. As reliever James Russell went into his motion in the sixth inning of Sunday night’s 6-2 loss to the Cardinals, Castro kicked at the dirt and then walked toward the outfield, never looking toward home plate when the pitch was thrown. Cubs manager Mike Quade said yesterday he was “real disappointed’’ and was giving Castro “a mental day off.’’ … Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain, and All-Star third baseman Placido Polanco (sports hernia) was activated from the DL … The Indians put designated hitter Travis Hafner on the 15-day DL with a strained right foot … The Pirates put righthander Kevin Correia on the 15-day DL with a strained oblique, the second Pitsburgh starter to head to the DL in the past week. Paul Maholm was put on the DL Friday with a left shoulder strain … Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan has taken a leave of absence to tend to his ailing wife. Jeanine Duncan underwent major surgery Sunday that will require additional tests and rehabilitation … Jake Fromm’s line-drive homer to center highlighted a three-run ninth and helped Warner Robins, Ga., top LaGrange, Ky., 8-5, and advance at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. Georgia will face Pennsylvania tonight after Clinton County routed Lafayette, La., 10-0. Earlier, Langley, British Columbia beat Kaoshiung, Taiwan, 5-3, to become the first Canadian team to beat a squad from Taiwan after 16 straight losses.
