MESA, Ariz. -- First baseman Bryan LaHair, who was held out of the Cubs' final four exhibition games because of back tightness caused by a bulging disk, could be a game-time decision for Thursday's opener.

``I don't think it's a DL thing or anything like that,'' said manager Dale Sveum, who anticipates a season debut for LaHair sometime during the three-game opening series against Washington. ``Hopefully, we'll get a chance to see him take BP [Wednesday] at the workout, if he's able to go, and see what happens on Opening Day.''

LaHair, who's breaking camp in the big leagues for the first time in his career, remains hopeful he'll be able to play Thursday.

``I'm getting better,'' he said. ``I'm tough mentally, so I'm just rolling with the punches. I'm focusing in on whatever that first game's going to be, whether it's Thursday, Saturday Sunday - whatever it's going to be, that's what I'm getting ready for.

``And the most important thing is that I get healthy, and once I'm healthy I've been known to stay healthy.''