The Chicago Cubs started camp with Javier Assad getting set back with an oblique strain and now top prospect Matt Shaw is dealing with an oblique issue as well. These injuries are always tough to speculate on, but for now the Cubs are at least sound more optimistic about Shaw's imminent future.
Shaw, who now has the inside track to be the starting third baseman for the Cubs, has been in camp for a bit and the oblique issue was first noticed earlier this week. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said the team does not foresee Shaw being limited for too long as spring training gets underway in Mesa, Ariz.
Matt Shaw is day-to-day with a left oblique issue, Craig Counsell announced. Happened four or five days ago on a swing in the cages. Taking it slow, but Counsell said Shaw’s responded well to treatment. “Don’t anticipate any problems.”
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) February 14, 2025
We'll really know if this oblique thing for Shaw is a non-issue or not within the next few days. If he's back out there in the cages, taking swings, then we're all good. However, if Shaw ends up needing to get an MRI, then that should cause some alarm. Yet, seeing that 4-5 days have already passed and there hasn't been any indication that Shaw will need imaging, I'm feeling better about his status compared to Assad, who was diagnosed with a mild oblique strain.
Still, it's always an uneasy feeling whenever you see oblique next to any player. However, another positive note on Shaw is that he was participating in drills on Friday.
Matt Shaw is your first Cub to report to practice today pic.twitter.com/E7YO4aHYQq
— The Setup Man - Chicago Cubs YT Channel (@SetupManKyle) February 14, 2025
The spotlight will be on Shaw in 2025, as the 2023 first-round pick will try to establish himself as the every-day third baseman, bringing stability to the position for the first time since Kris Bryant's playing days with the Cubs.
It was a bit of a surprise in the offseason when the Cubs seemingly opened the path for Shaw at third base, where had only began to get semi-regular starts at the position until the 2024 minor league season. However, in a recent interview Shaw said he actually does feel most comfortable at third, following two straight years of training at third in the offseason.
Shaw also impressed playing third base back in November, when he played for Team USA at the Premier12 Tournament.
In 2024, Shaw played in 121 games between Double-A and Triple-A. The right-handed hitter slashed .284/.379/.488, with 21 home runs and 31 stolen bases.
