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Castro makes case to avoid sitting vs. Brewers

MILWAUKEE -- Anthony Rizzo got Friday off, and the plan was to give Starlin Castro a breather on Sunday in the series finale against the Brewers. But the shortstop went into Cubs manager Rick Renteria's office on Saturday to lobby to play.

"Starlin came in and talked to me today, and he says, 'I know you're thinking about giving me a day, but I'm good to go," Renteria said.

After Saturday's game, Renteria said he changed his mind, and Castro was scheduled to start Sunday.

"He came into the dugout, and said, 'Hey, I'm good,'" Renteria said after Saturday's game, an 8-0 win over the Brewers. "We have to pick and choose our battles and when it's the right time. When both we as managers and coaches and players are on the same page and we both feel it, we'll find that time for him."

Castro has started all 53 games at shortstop, and he has said he wants to play all 162, which he did in 2012. He played in 161 games in 2013.

Renteria said Castro was adamant about playing, and in a good way.

"He had a good message," Renteria said.

If Castro does change his mind, Darwin Barney would start at shortstop.

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat.
Read More: Chicago Cubs, Starlin Castro