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Castro Says He'll Be Ready For Opening Day

By Bruce Levine-

(CBS) Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro on Thursday pronounced himself ready for Monday's opener at Pittsburgh. Dealing with a hamstring strain since March 2, Castro will play one final minor league game before joining teammates for two exhibition games at Chase Field this weekend.

"I need four or five at-bats every day to get ready," Castro said. "I will play in a minor league game today and be ready to play (against Arizona) Friday."

Castro said he wantsto play in both exhibition games against the Diamondbacks this weekend.

"I need both to get ready," Castro said. "I feel good, really, really good. I want to be ready to play all the games."

Castro has remarkably durable in a career that started in May of 2010. He has missed only five games in the last thee full seasons he has played.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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