Geovany

Soto

Henry Blanco will serve as the primary catcher during the suspension with Soto getting in there once in awhile. The Cubs think Barrett could be suspended for as many as 10 games, but Soto isn’t likely to get enough playing time to have any fantasy value.

The five RBI were a season high, while the two-homer night was his first of the year. Hitting an extremely disappointing .224/.309/.411, Soto’s power potential should nevertheless make him again worth an own in all mixed leagues in 2012.

The recently-recalled Welington Castillo will start behind the plate in his absence and bat eighth against the Pirates. Soto is considered day-to-day.

The Cubs already have catchers Geovany Soto and Steve Clevenger on the active roster, so another roster move must be on the way. Castillo, 25, entered play Friday with a .320/.435/.520 batting line over 62 plate appearances with Triple-A Iowa this season. He was ranked as the organization’s No. 6 prospect by Baseball America over the winter.

Soto has been battling a groin injury for over a week. But he should be able to participate in all spring drills over the next several days before catching or serving as the Cubs’ DH Saturday against the Brewers. He’ll be looking to right the ship this year after a down 2011.

He’s just getting the day off after the night game. Steve Clevenger, who is hitting .526 (10-for-19) on the young season, will start behind the plate and bat seventh against right-hander Lance Lynn.

It was one of three dingers the Cubs had on the night, as Bryan LaHair and Ian Stewart had back-to-back shots in the fourth before Soto’s blast in the eighth. Soto is sporting a paltry .167 batting mark for the year, though he does at least have three homers.

It’s good news that the injury appears to be minor, but it’s concerning because Soto spent time on the disabled list last year with a groin ailment. It’s unclear what the Cubs’ plans are for the veteran backstop, but they’ll surely shut him down for at least a few days just in case. We’ll keep you updated on his status. Soto batted just .228/.310/.411 with 17 home runs and 54 RBI over 125 games in 2011.

Soto is now 4-for-5 with a walk in his past two Cactus League starts. He was slowed earlier this spring by a groin injury but is getting back on the right track quickly.

Soto had a great spring, but it certainly hasn’t carried over, as he’s driven in just one run in 40 at-bats to date. The Cubs may give Steve Clevenger more playing time until Soto breaks out of his slump.