Good news on the Starlin Castro recovery front: the Cubs’ starting shortstop played again today in a minor league game at Spring Training, and he actually played shortstop.
It also sounds like he was running at basically full speed, and he could be back in a big league Spring Training game within a couple days.
Here are some of the important bits from the folks talking to Castro and manager Rick Renteria:
Castro runs back on shallow ball to CF with no issues.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 24, 2014
Castro says all systems go,might take off tomorrow,per the team.He never wants one off.No Cactus League game yet but Renteria to speak soon
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 24, 2014
Castro on running after a hit in minor league game: “I’m running hard, turning and I don’t feel anything (in hammy)"
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 24, 2014
#Cubs Starlin Castro expected to get Tuesday off after playing in Minor League game today. Is he ready? "I'm really close."
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) March 24, 2014
Renteria says Starlin Castro will take live BP and do some work defensively at SS on Tuesday. #Cubs
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) March 24, 2014
Castro will get a day off Tuesday, return to minor league game Wednesday.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 24, 2014
Castro will hit BP, then live defensive work Tuesday. " we're going to push him, " Renteria said
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 24, 2014
It tentatively sounds like Castro will take batting practice tomorrow and do some field work, will play in a minor league game (full systems go) on Wednesday, and then, if he still feels and looks good, he could be ready to play in a big league Spring game on Thursday. From there, the Cubs have only two exhibition games against the Diamondbacks left before Opening Day. Three games isn’t much, but it’s probably enough to get Castro ready, considering the at bats he’s been getting in minor league games.
Also, Castro turned 24 today. Is that the threshold where a guy is no longer really young? It still seems pretty young. Still young enough to dream on a little bit of upside, anyway – particularly if he turns things around this year.