Renteria making sure to keep Starlin engaged

CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Rick Renteria says he and his staff are very talkative, and one of the players they are constantly engaging with is shortstop Starlin Castro.

"It's just part of how we do things," Renteria said Monday. "We're kind of vocal. I think that's our nature. I remember playing for managers who were always talking to us in the infield. I don't think it's abnormal."

Part of the rationale is to keep Castro focused on the game and avoid any mental lapses. Renteria said Castro, 24, who was promoted from Double-A in 2010, is still developing.

"He got here when he was 20 [years old] and we assume he knows exactly everything he's doing, and I think he's still learning," Renteria said. "I think we make a mistake that any player in the big leagues is not still learning."

Castro entered Monday's game batting .395 at home, and has hit safely in all nine home games.