MESA, Ariz. -- Kyle Hendricks and Matthew Szczur have played together in the Minors, and for the past three seasons on the Cubs. Hendricks has seen noticeable improvements by the outfielder, who is battling for a roster spot on the Cubs again this spring.

"He's a complete player," Hendricks said of the right-handed hitter. "Fielding, running, hitting -- laying down that bunt [against the Rockies] -- every facet of the game, he's gotten better and better every year. Hitting for power has come along more."

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On Monday against the Rockies, Szczur started in right and had three hits, including a bunt single and a two-run homer in a 9-6 win, and he also made a nice catch in the right-field corner to rob Tyler Anderson of a potential extra-base hit.

"Playing with him coming up, I knew the type of ballplayer he was going to be," Hendricks said. "He's such a hard worker and dedicated. It's pretty special to see that kind of work ethic from a guy. It's not a surprise to see how complete his game is and how big of an asset he can be for anybody."

With less than two weeks to go in Spring Training, Szczur, 27, knows every at-bat counts, but he's trying not to make it seem as if it's Game 7 of the World Series. It could come down to whether the Cubs want to keep his right-handed bat or go with a backup infielder and left-handed hitter in Thomas La Stella . Szczur is out of options, while La Stella still has one left.

"I'm just trying to have fun, to be honest," Szczur said. "It's tough for me to work on things. We were talking about it [Monday], because I've got to grind every day and I have to perform on the highest level. I've got to be an animal out there, to be honest.

"I'm just trying to play the best I can," he said. "For me, Game 7, you could say it's like that. But I'm trying to have fun."

Carrie Muskat has covered the Cubs since 1987, and for MLB.com since 2001. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings. You can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat and listen to her podcast.