Cubs Injury Update: Sweeney, Castro, Arrieta all progressing well

Feb 14, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher

(49) looks at gloves during camp at Chicago Cubs training facility at Mesa . Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Several key players have been bit by the injury bug of late, but all signs point toward fairly quick recoveries, according to various reports by Cubs beat writers.

MLB.com writer Carrie Muskat reported earlier today that shortstop Starlin Castro could begin hitting and running as early as tomorrow, meaning he could return to the lineup in spring games this coming weekend.

Castro has appeared in two games so far this spring and went 2-for-2, including a double and an RBI. He is looking to bounce back from a season in which he hit a career-low .245 in 161 games. Although he posted his best fielding percentage of his still-young career, it still left much to be desired.

Outfielder Ryan Sweeney, who left Sunday’s game with a knee injury, said that he doesn’t expect to be sidelined for long, saying he could be back as early as Tuesday, as well, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.

Gonzales also touched on another injured Cubs player in Jake Arrieta, saying that it will be a “long time” for the right-hander to finish his rehab work, according to Cubs first-year manager Ricky Renteria. The skipper also said Castro won’t play in Cactus League action until next week at the earliest, conflicting the young shortstop’s comments about returning this weekend.

Sun-Times beat writer Gordon Wittenmeyer said that Arrieta is aiming for an early April return, but said that his main concern is being around and healthy to help the team throughout the duration of the season – not just in the season’s first month. The right-hander was acquired in the trade that sent Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger to Baltimore last season and was expected to compete for a rotation spot heading into this spring.