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Castro targeting weekend games vs. D-backs

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro will play in another Minor League game on Thursday as he continues his tune up for the regular season.

Castro, who strained his right hamstring on March 2, hopes to play in the Cubs' final exhibition games Friday and Saturday at Chase Field against the Diamondbacks.

On Wednesday, he was active in a Minor League game, batting every inning.

"I hit a double, scored from second to home, hit a triple, ran the bases pretty good," Castro said Thursday.

Is he 100 percent healthy?

"Yeah," Castro said. "I don't feel anything. I moved on defense yesterday, took a lot of ground balls, moving quick, feel pretty good."

"He's checking all the boxes and we feel pretty good about it," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said of Castro.

Opening Day is Monday.

"I've got to be ready," Castro said. "No more time. No more Minor Leagues. I bat every time -- four every day, five at-bats every day. No more Minor Leagues. The Show is coming."

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat.
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