MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) – After weeks of rehab from an oblique injury, Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw is in line to make his Cactus League debut soon.
The 23-year-old Shaw could return to game action Sunday. When he does, it will mark a key step forward. The Cubs will assess his health and form from there as their regular-season opener looms on March 18 against the Dodgers in Japan. The Cubs don’t know if Shaw will make the trip to Tokyo for the two-game series or stay behind.
“We are not at a point to make any decisions on Matt yet,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He is getting healthy. That is obviously why he will play in games. No decisions have been made there.”
Shaw feels good and wants to earn the club’s starting third-base job with his play on the field this spring.
“At this point, I am pretty much fully healed,” Shaw told Marquee Sports Network on Thursday. “I am getting my legs back under me after being out here two months. I am in a really good spot. I don't have a lot of worries, and I don't think the team has a lot of worries. Now with the position we are in, I am throwing and hitting. I am getting live at-bats. I am really excited about playing in games in the next few days. I am just in a great spot. I have zero anxieties or worries now.”
The Cubs selected Shaw in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He hit .284 with 21 homers, 71 RBIs and an .867 OPS in 121 games split between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. He's rated as the organization's top prospect.
Shaw isn’t sure what his role will be when the Cubs start their season.
“Counsell and the staff have done a great job with me on a day-to-day basis,” Shaw said. “They have allowed me to understand that all I can control is today. Decisions will be made later on in the future. Right now I just worry about today.”
The others in the third-base mix for the Cubs are Jon Berti, Vidal Brujan and Gage Workman. Veteran Justin Turner isn’t in consideration for everyday duty at third base but is stretching his arm out for possible part-time duty there, he said Wednesday.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.