Castro improving after one-day breather

SEATTLE -- Since his one-day breather, Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is 4-for-14, which is encouraging. Has manager Dale Sveum seen changes since Tuesday's day off, Castro's first of the year?

"Maybe a little attitude change," Sveum said Friday. "I think the mechanics of his swing are probably the same. He's mixed in some hits, which are nice. That's usually what gets you going sometimes.

"He's still struggling a little bit with the fastball," Sveum said of Castro, who is batting .231. "The mechanics are the same. Hopefully, he keeps gradually understanding what he has to do."

Castro began the season with a career .297 average, and is batting .153 in June after Friday's 0-for-4 performance.