Chicago Cubs: Is Matt Shaw done in Chicago? Injury update may open the exit door

The Chicago Cubs had asked a lot of sophomore Matt Shaw this season.

After seemingly winning the starting third base gig with a solid surge at the end of his 2025 rookie season, the Cubs’ 2023 first round draft pick’s status as every day third baseman only last until January.

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When Chicago signed veteran three-time All-Star Alex Bregman to a 5-year, $175 million contract, it became clear that Shaw would be out. While some speculated that he’d be traded for some much-needed pitching, the team ended up employing him as a utility asset, coming off the bench to play third, second, and the outfield.

And Shaw appeared to be adapting well. He held up defensively in the multi-position role and even his bat, which had been a concern the previous season, was more consistent and productive.

Then, on June 29, the 24-year-old was put on the IL with a left hand sprain and he hasn’t been seen since. What was viewed as a minor, innocuous injury at the time has dragged on and on, with no real time frame set for a return.

A troubling Matt Shaw update

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The recent update from Chicago Tribune Cubs beat writer Meghan Montemurro is not at all encouraging either:

Matt Shaw (left hand/wrist) is still weeks away from returning, Counsell said. Swinging a bat at full speed/strength remains the issue.

Counsell: “It’s going in the right direction, just a lot more slowly than we would have hoped & thought. So, we’ve gotta be a little patient.”

The MLB.com Shaw injury update of August 7 also seems kind of dark:

Traveled with Cubs to Kansas City to continue rehab. Recently resumed light hitting, but is building up intensity of his swings. Manager Craig Counsell said Shaw remains “weeks” away.

The problem for Shaw is that, honestly, nobody is missing him or what he brings to the field.

The rise of Pedro Ramirez

That’s no knock on Shaw and his abilities. It’s more of a recognition that rookie Pedro Ramirez, who got called up to the majors on May 22, has been absolutely stellar in the spots Shaw was supposed to fill.

On the season, the 22-year-old Ramirez is hitting .300 with 2 home runs and 15 RBIs in 122 plate appearances. He’s also played stellar defense at second base and third base, with even one appearance made in left field. He’s turned out to be every bit the baseball gem manager Craig Counsell had raved about in spring training.

And, again, he’s serving in the same exact role that Shaw was given as an off-the-bench super sub. But he’s doing it seemingly easier and more naturally.

That begs the question of what will become of Shaw when he is healthy enough to come back.

The Cubs could conceivably carry two similar bench assets playing the same roles. Next season, Shaw and/or Ramirez could even be made into full-time corner outfielders in anticipation of Ian Happ and/or Seiya Suzuki leaving via free agency.

Increasingly, though, there’s the possibility that Shaw could be traded. Rumors abounded that he’d find himself swapped out for pitching at this year’s trade deadline, but if that was a possibility, it became less so due to his lingering injury.

For now, at the very least, the Cubs aren’t missing what Shaw could bring. So, there’s time to weigh all options. But the rise of Ramirez does put Shaw’s future in Chicago in question.

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