Shaw went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels.
Shaw has started four of Chicago's first six games of the season in right field, with Michael Conforto also working into the mix. The former delivered his first multi-hit effort of the year Wednesday, and he should continue to see regular time in right until Seiya Suzuki (knee) is able to return. When Suzuki does come back, Shaw may shift into more of a super utility role for the Cubs due to his ability to play the infield as well.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Sits in favor of Conforto
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Shaw is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Angels.
Shaw started each of the first two games of the season in right field, but he's been on the bench in favor of Michael Conforto for the last two tilts. All four contests have been versus right-handed pitching, and the two players could continue to share right field until Seiya Suzuki (knee) returns.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: On bench Sunday
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Shaw is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Shaw went 1-for-6 with an RBI and a run scored in the Cubs' first two games of the season, but he'll cede right field to Michael Conforto in the series finale. While Seiya Suzuki (knee) is on the shelf, Shaw appears to be the preferred option in right field against left-handed pitching, but Shaw and Conforto could operate in more of a timeshare versus righties.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Starting Opening Day in RF
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Shaw is starting in right field and batting ninth in Thursday's season opener against the Nationals.
Michael Conforto was expected to step in as the Cubs' primary right fielder versus right-handed pitching with Seiya Suzuki (knee) on the injured list, but Shaw will instead get the call Opening Day against Washington righty Cade Cavalli. Shaw almost exclusively played third base as rookie last season, but he prepared to fill a super-utility role during the offseason and will immediately get a look at one of his new positions Thursday. The 24-year-old struggled to a .689 OPS in 126 regular-season games last year in his first taste of the majors but is coming off a strong spring training, during which he batted .320/.417/.500 in 60 plate appearances.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Gets run at first base
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Shaw played first base for the first time in his career during Wednesday's Cactus League contest, and he could be a contingency option there for the Cubs during the regular season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
The third baseman is adding to his defensive acumen in an effort to grow into more of a super-utility role for the Cubs, though he had to borrow Carson Kelly's first baseman's glove to try out the new position Wednesday. With Tyler Austin (knee) set to miss a few months, Chicago is looking for added versatility off the bench, and Shaw would give the Cubs some depth behind starter Michael Busch if he can hold his own at first. Shaw almost exclusively played third base as a rookie last year, with a handful of appearances at second, but he's already played in right field, center field and now first so far this spring. It seems like the 24-year-old could play regularly for the Cubs across the diamond in 2026 even without a regular starting position.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Likely to start in RF versus LHP
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The Cubs are expected to start Shaw in right field against left-handed pitchers, Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Per Levine, manager Craig Counsell said that Shaw will play a lot in the outfield, and that will likely include starting in right field versus lefties while Seiya Suzuki slides into the designated-hitter spot. Shaw played the outfield a bit in college and in summer ball but has not spent an inning there at the professional level. The 24-year-old appears poised to operate in a super-utility role for the Cubs this season.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Could be tried in outfield
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Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Thursday that Shaw could be used some in the outfield this season, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
If the Cubs hang on to Nico Hoerner rather than trade him following the signing of Alex Bregman, Shaw's best shot at regular playing time would be in a super utility role. All 114 starts for Shaw with the Cubs in 2025 came at third base, but the 24-year-old also has significant experience at second base and shortstop, and he played the outfield some in college and in summer ball. It's also possible the Cubs use Shaw as a trade chip in order to supplement their roster elsewhere.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Expected back Tuesday
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Shaw (personal) is expected to be back with the Cubs by Tuesday's series opener versus the Mets, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Shaw was absent from the lineup Sunday against the Reds, which is now understood to be the result of him attending the funeral of a friend. The 23-year-old has struggled to a .200 average with one home run, seven RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base over 55 at-bats in 18 games in September.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Back in lineup Friday
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Shaw (personal) will start at third base and bat ninth in Friday's game versus the Rays.
Shaw had to be scratched from Wednesday's lineup against Atlanta due to personal reasons, but he appeared as a pinch hitter in that contest and is back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Rays. The rookie infielder had a great start to the second half but has slowed down in recent weeks, slashing .212/.276/.269 with no home runs over his last 19 games.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Scratched Wednesday
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Shaw was scratched from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against Atlanta due to personal reasons, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Shaw will step out of the lineup for a day while he tends to a personal matter. In the meantime, Willi Castro will fill in at the hot corner for Chicago and bat eighth.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Reaches three times, swipes base
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Shaw went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a stolen base and an RBI in Monday's 7-6, extra-inning win over Atlanta.
After an encouraging August in which he batted .240 with an .839 OPS and five home runs across 28 games, Shaw got off to a good start in September. The rookie only swiped one base last month, but he's now got 16 steals overall this season in 19 attempts. Shaw continues to exhibit some growing pains as a 23-year-old, though his mix of power and speed gives him plenty of fantasy upside.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Returns to lineup with two hits
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Shaw went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Angels.
Shaw was not in the startling lineup Saturday, but he returned Sunday and made his mark from the No. 9 spot in the order. The rookie was out of the lineup twice in the previous three days, with Willi Castro getting the start at the hot corner each time. Shaw has mostly played well since the All-Star break and should continue to see regular playing time, through it does appear that the Cubs want to find ways to get Castro into the lineup, which could come at Shaw's expense.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: On bench again
Rotowire
Shaw is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.
Shaw will take a seat for the second time in three games Saturday, freeing up Willi Castro for another start at third base. Shaw has hit five home runs and is slashing .240/.316/.660 in August.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Getting breather Thursday
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Shaw is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Brewers.
Shaw slugged his 11th home run of the season in Wednesday's 4-3 victory but will get a breather in Thursday's series finale. Willi Castro will man third base and bat seventh for the Cubs.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Sitting out Friday
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Shaw is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.
Shaw was swinging a hot bat for a stretch in late July, but he's gone just 3-for-15 to begin August, bringing his season average down to .222 across 287 plate appearances. The 23-year-old will sit for the second time in five games as Willi Castro takes over at third base and bats seventh against right-hander Michael McGreevy.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Getting Sunday off
Rotowire
Shaw is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Shaw had started at third base in seven straight games, but he'll cede the hot corner to Willi Castro on Sunday. Since the All-Star break, Shaw has produced a 1.014 OPS, but he'll need to maintain that improved level of production to stave off Castro for a regular spot in the lineup.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Brings home three runs
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Shaw went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 6-1 win over the White Sox.
Shaw's two-run homer in the seventh inning extended the Cubs' lead to three, and he brought home another run after drawing a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. Shaw has come out of the All-Star break with an eight-game hit streak, going 11-for-23 (.478) with four home runs, nine RBI and two steals over that span.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Post-break surge continues
Rotowire
Shaw went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Royals.
The rookie took Steven Cruz deep in the seventh inning, Shaw's fifth homer of the season and third in the last five games. He's batting .474 (9-for-19) since the All-Star break, adding two steals, four runs and six RBI to his long balls, but he still has a lot of work to do to climb out of the hole he dug prior to the Midsummer Classic -- over his last 25 games before the break, Shaw slashed a woeful .107/.198/.147.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Not starting Saturday
Rotowire
Shaw isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.
Shaw has been held hitless in his last 21 at-bats and will get a day off Saturday to regroup. Jon Berti will start at third base and bat ninth for Chicago.
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Cubs' Matt Shaw: Could get replaced at third
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The Cubs may target third base help before the trade deadline, which would bump Shaw from a regular starting role, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Most of Chicago's regulars have hit well this season, but Shaw has been inconsistent. While the rookie has shown flashes of promise after a slow start to the year, he's still slashing just .200/.278/.283 through 230 plate appearances. Over the 23-year-old's last 20 games, that's dipped to .127/.219/.175. With the Cubs sitting in first place in the NL Central and realistically in the mix for a World Series this season, the front office may decide to shore up the hot corner in the short term, with the likes of Eugenio Suarez and Ke'Bryan Hayes as potential targets. A big addition at the hot corner would cut into Shaw's already diminished fantasy appeal this year, though he remains an intriguing long-term prospect.
