Castro remains Star-struck

ONCE an expendable piece for Theo Epstein and the Cubs, Starlin Castro is on his way back to the All-Star Game, and the Yankees second baseman couldn’t be happier to represent the most storied franchise in baseball. “This means a lot,” Castro said Monday at the Stadium. “I’ve been through some bad moments in my career. I made the first three All-Star Games in the beginning of my career and it’s good to be back, especially with a new team. … It’s my second year here with the Yankees, and I made it.”

Castro made the All-Star Game in 2011, 2012 and 2014 in his age 21, 22 and 24 seasons, respectively. But he regressed at the plate over the next two campaigns, and when the Cubs traded for stud shortstop prospect Addison Russell in 2015 and signed Ben Zobrist before the 2016 season, Castro became the odd man out. He was dealt to the Yankees in December 2015 for Adam Warren and Brendan Ryan, missing out on the Cubs’ World Series run.

Chicago released Ryan a week after acquiring him. Warren later returned to the Yankees in the Aroldis Chapman deal in July 2016. Which is to say, Brian Cashman got Castro for virtually nothing.

The 27-year-old responded by turning into one of the Yankees’ most important pieces this season, hitting .313 with 12 homers and 45 RBI before landing on the disabled list last week with a hamstring injury. Castro doesn’t know if he’ll be healthy enough to play in the All-Star Game on July 11 in Miami. But even if he can’t participate, he will be at the game.

CC, WARREN DUE BACK

Joe Girardi is confident both CC Sabathia (left hamstring strain) and Adam Warren (right shoulder inflammation) will be activated off the disabled list today and rejoin the Yankees for an Independence Day matinee against the Blue Jays.

Sabathia is slated to start. After a slew of injuries, Girardi is relieved to receive some positive health news. “I feel really good about the two pitchers that are coming back tomorrow,” Girardi said. “There’s nothing to lead me to believe that they won’t be back tomorrow. That’s the first time that we’ve had this way in a while.”

Sabathia tweaked his hamstring during a June 14 start against the Angels.

CAMPAIGN TRAIL

The Yankees already have five All-Stars and could secure a sixth in Didi Gregorius, who is part of the AL Final Vote decided by the fans. “He is well-deserving. You look at the production we’ve gotten from him this season, I think he’s an All-Star,” Girardi said.