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Extra bases

Kyle Hendricks, the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2013, retired all eight batters he faced in Wednesday's intrasquad game. The right-hander was 13-4 at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa last season.

"He's probably put himself on everybody's radar by the way he went about his business last year," Renteria said. "It doesn't hurt anybody to come out and do well."

Justin Ruggiano, Welington Castillo and Christian Villanueva each hit solo home runs and Junior Lake hit an RBI single in the intrasquad game, which the "home" team won, 5-3. Jorge Soler walked, stole second and scored on Ryan Kalish's single for the tie-breaking run in the fifth.

Mike Olt did not play third base on Wednesday but was able to get an at-bat as the designated hitter, and drew a walk in the fifth. He said his right arm is a little tender, and the soreness is not unusual.

"It's how it is every year," Olt said. "It hasn't bothered my swing."

Acquired from the Rangers last July in the Matt Garza deal, Olt is a candidate for the Cubs' third-base job. He was scheduled to be the designated hitter on Thursday in the Cubs' Cactus League opener.

• Second baseman Darwin Barney has been working a lot with new hitting coach Bill Mueller in hopes of getting back on track after batting .208 last season.

"We're happy with where we're at right now and feeling comfortable," Barney said. "We feel we have a solid game plan, so we'll keep continuing to move forward with that. I feel good to go. I feel mechanically sound. I feel like I'm getting results off the bat that I want and hopefully I can carry that forward."

• Castillo was the designated hitter on Wednesday in the intrasquad game in an effort to give him at-bats. Castillo had arthroscopic knee surgery in mid September and was slowed a little this spring because of his groin. So far, he's passed all the tests.

"I think everybody is assured he's completely healed and recovered," Renteria said. "Like anything, we need to make sure we're giving him the load of work he needs to get him into the season and that's what we're going to try to do."

Castillo showed his swing is just fine as he led off the fourth inning with a home run off lefty Tsuyoshi Wada.

Arodys Vizcaino, who has not pitched since 2011 after needing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, threw one inning in the intrasquad game, and walked two and gave up one hit.

"I'm just hoping his health continues to not be an issue," Renteria said. "His arm is live. [The ball] comes out of there pretty easy. It looks like he's using his secondary pitches in live [batting practice] the way he wants to. If he wants to bury a pitch he does it, if he wants to go off the corners he can."

Jake Arrieta is throwing from flat ground, and continuing to make progress this spring. Arrieta, who was projected for the starting rotation, was slowed because of tightness in his right shoulder.

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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