Chicago Cubs’ top prospect and rookie third baseman made his spring debut against the Reds after recovering from an injury that had previously sidelined him. He discussed a recent oblique strain, stating that he is now fully healthy. “I’ve put a lot of time and effort into being ready for this moment,” he told Cubs.com. “But it’s out of my hands. I’m just going to keep doing what I do every day and stay consistent. If I get the chance to go [to Tokyo], I’ll be thrilled. If not, that’s just part of the process.”
The Cubs are unlikely to rush Matt Shaw back just to have him ready for their early season opener in Japan. If his rehab timeline doesn’t align with the schedule, forcing a return wouldn’t be the right move. His long-term health and development remain the priority. The main question now is whether his limited minor league experience, combined with this injury, will affect his readiness to face the Dodgers.
Since Isaac Paredes was traded, the expectation has been that Shaw would be the Cubs’ Opening Day third baseman. Fortunately for Chicago, position players typically don’t need extensive time to get ready for the season. Given Shaw’s recent comments and his return to spring training reps, it seems highly likely he’ll take the field in Japan.