Castro will continue to learn on the job

CINCINNATI - Starlin Castro represents a recent first in many ways for a Cubs rookie.

That is, he has been all but anointed as the starter at his position, and there's no one blocking his path.

"This kid's playing," manager Lou Piniella said Sunday. "We're going to play him. We're going to hit him back of the lineup and let the kid play. He's had some nice at-bats up here. We've turned some nice double plays with him."

In recent years, the Cubs have tried rookies such as Felix Pie, but those trials were short-lived.

Ryan Theriot got a taste of action as a rookie in 2006 but then-manager Dusty Baker wasn't overly fond of him, and the Cubs weren't sure he could play shortstop. It was only when Cesar Izturis failed in early 2007 that Piniella gave the job to Theriot.

Geovany Soto won the Rookie of the Year award in 2008. He wasn't touted internally, either. It's only because the Cubs had trouble making the catcher position work in 2007 that Soto got his shot late that year.

Castro's debut Friday was storybook: 6 RBI to set a major-league record. But there are rough edges, too. He committed a costly error Saturday and failed to make a tag at second base on another play.

"He's going to be fine," Piniella said. "He's got some things to learn, and who is better to work with him and teach him than (coach) Alan Trammell? Who's better? He's got a wonderful, wonderful hitting coach (Rudy Jaramillo) here to help him with his hitting. He's going to get as good of tutelage as anywhere, and this kid is going to be just fine.

"Is he going to make a mistake along the way? Obviously. But we can live with that because he's going to get better and better, and that's what we're looking for.

"He's going to have some glitches along the way, but at the same time you're embarking a young man on a major-league career that should last for a long, long time."

Little to say: The Cubs were outscored 44-24 by the Pirates and Reds on the six-game road trip, during which they went 1-5. They managed just 5 hits in Sunday's 5-3 loss, and Lou Piniella is growing tired of talking about the offense.

"There's no sense talking about it anymore," he said. "If they hit, they hit. That's the end of it. I'm tired of talking about the same things."

False start? Third baseman Aramis Ramirez grounded out to end Sunday's game. He was 1-for-4, an infield hit, and is batting .160. Before the game, Lou Piniella talked of seeing some encouraging signs from Ramirez, who even slammed his helmet down Saturday night after lining out.

"I thought Ramirez hit the ball very well last night," Piniella said. "I thought he had 4 really good at-bats. We've been encouraging him to go to right-center field with the ball, and last night, he hit the ball hard every time.

"He showed some emotion last night for the first time, which is good. You continue to have good at-bats like that, you're going to start finding success."