Starlin Castro leaves today's game against Dodgers early with hamstring tightness; Cubs announce single-game ticket sales

The Cubs lost 11-7 to the Los Angeles Dodgers today at HoHoKam Stadium.  Not only did they lose their exhibition game, but Starlin Castro left the game in the fourth inning after injuring his left hamstring when he was running out a ground ball.  His injury has been referred to as hamstring tightness and his status will be day-to-day.

Starlin Castro bats during Wednesday's game against the Dodgers in Mesa (Chicago Sun-Times photo)

Starting pitcher Matt Garza, who has been out with a lat strain could start throwing again by Thursday, depending on how his workout today went.  Manager Dale Sveum is thinking that Garza should have enough time to recover by Opening Day, which is April 1st.

Third baseman Ian Stewart, who is sidelined with a left quad injury, was still able to participate in the bunting tourmanent today, but lost to first baseman Anthony Rizzo.  Stewart and Josh Vitters are rehabbing together, since they both have the same injury.  "Me and Ian are basically doing the same routine," Vitters said.  "We push each other."

Ian Stewart is rehabbing from a left quad injury, along with Josh Vitters (photo from Chicago Sun-Times)

Others that advanced in the bunting tournament today were Logan Watkins, Chris Rusin and strength coach Tim Buss, who beat pitcher Scott Baker.

The Cubs announced that single game tickets will go on sale at the ticket office at Wrigley Field on Friday, March 8th at 8am CT, with online and phone sales following at 10am CT.  Fans who wish to purchase tickets in person at Wrigley Field between 8-10am on March 8th must obtain a wristband, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sunday, March 3, from 10 am to 6 pm, and Monday, March 4, from 7 am to 7 pm, at the Captain Morgan Club on the corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue. 

The winning numbers will be chosen two days in advance of the on-sale date so fans can plan to be at Wrigley Field for Friday's general on-sale event.  Winning numbers will be announced on WGN Radio (720 AM) and www.cubs.com Wednesday, March 6, at 8 am.  Winners of the wristband drawing will be able to purchase single game tickets in person at Wrigley Field on Friday, March 8th starting at 8am.  There is a limit of one wristband per person.  Fans will be required to show two forms of identification when picking up their wristband, one of which needs to be a valid government-issued photo ID.  Wristbands must be unaltered, intact and worn until the buyer has made their ticket purchase.  The same form of identification used to obtain a wristband must be presented at the time of purchase.  For more details on single-ticket sales, please visit this link.

Just 34 more days until Opening Day!

after pulling up lame running out a ground ball to short.

Castro was trying to beat out an infield single to short in the fourth inning when he grabbed his leg halfway down the line and began limping toward first.

After meeting with the trainer, Castro was removed from the game. The Cubs said the injury was left hamstring tightness. - See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-castro-20130227,0,6552536.story#sthash.lWvTgSJQ.dpuf

after pulling up lame running out a ground ball to short.

Castro was trying to beat out an infield single to short in the fourth inning when he grabbed his leg halfway down the line and began limping toward first.

After meeting with the trainer, Castro was removed from the game. The Cubs said the injury was left hamstring tightness. - See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-castro-20130227,0,6552536.story#sthash.lWvTgSJQ.dpuf