Castellanos back in lineup after late scratch

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- One day after he was a late scratch before a game at Seattle with abdominal tightness, the Detroit Tigers' Nick Castellanos did not hold anything back in a pregame workout at Angel Stadium.

After taking full swings and running at full speed Monday afternoon, Castellanos was considered a go for the opener of a three-game series against the Angels. He was in the lineup at the cleanup spot while playing right field.

“He took swings and no problem and let it fly,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He doesn’t feel anything, so obviously it was a cramp.”

Batting .276 with 11 home runs, 37 RBIs and an American League-leading 36 doubles in 98 games, Castellanos’ name has been mentioned in trade rumors for teams interested in a middle-of-the-order bat that can play multiple positions.

The Tigers’ cautious approach with Castellanos’ situation Sunday was understandable.

“Yeah, we weren’t going to [force it],” Gardenhire said about Sunday’s last-minute day of rest. “The trainers took care of him and did everything for him yesterday. Basically, it was a wait and see how he felt today. He kind of thought it was a cramp and the trainers did, too, because they checked him out.

Castellanos, a former No. 44 overall selection in the 2010 Draft by the Tigers, could be playing in the last series with the only organization he has ever known.

Castellanos has admitted that the Trade Deadline uncertainty is tough mentally, and he is just doing his best to ignore it.

“The only thing you can explain to them, and I’ve told them this a thousand times, is that to just be happy that your name is being mentioned,” Gardenhire said. “It means somebody is interested in you and they think you’re pretty good. You have to be honored by it but it does affect you.

“Nick said he can’t wait for it to be over with because it is driving him crazy He’s gone through it a couple of years now. He just wants it to be over so he can play baseball, wherever that may be.”

Catching plan

Amid speculation that highly regarded catching prospect Jake Rogers could join the Tigers as soon as Tuesday, as well as a report that backup catcher Bobby Wilson was placed on waivers, Gardenhire was reluctant to give any information.

“We’re not expecting anything and we’re not going to comment on any of that because it’s a fine line and you don’t mess with the waiver period, so we don’t even think about that one,” Gardenhire said. “He’s going through it and once he clears, then we’ll make a decision.”

Is there a possibly Rogers is with the Tigers on Tuesday?

“Everything is a possibility,” Gardenhire said.

Wilson was on the roster Monday night and available to back up starting catcher John Hicks.

Rehab ahead for Turnbull

Right-hander Spencer Turnbull, who has been out since July 18 with upper back strain, was eligible to come off the injured list Monday, but he will still need a handful of Minor League rehab outings before he rejoins the Tigers.

The 26-year old, who has a 3.65 ERA over 19 starts, already is back to baseball activity.

“He will be a guy to come back and fill a hole somewhere,” Gardenhire said. “But he’s starting to throw now, so he will go through a [rehab] start or two and make sure he is OK with his back and then he will be back.”