SAN DIEGO — The Chicago Cubs are making significant roster adjustments as they navigate the early part of the 2025 season. In a surprising move, the team has optioned rookie third baseman Matt Shaw to Triple-A Iowa following a lackluster start to his Major League career. Shaw, the No. 13 pick in the 2023 amateur draft and widely regarded as the top prospect in the Cubs' organization, struggled mightily at the plate, hitting just .172 with one home run and three RBIs in 18 games. His performance included 18 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances, leading to a disappointing OPS+ of 58, which is significantly below the league average.
Manager Craig Counsell commented on Shaw's demotion, emphasizing the need for the young player to regain his form. "We want to get a productive player back," Counsell said prior to the Cubs' matchup against the San Diego Padres. "Sometimes you have to take a step back to do that. At this level, it's production, and at the point we're at, obviously, you give guys time to work through it, but we just thought we saw enough where we kind of needed to take a break from this level and get some at-bats at Triple-A." This move is intended to allow Shaw to develop further and return to the Cubs as a more effective player.
Shaw’s struggles have been notable, especially given the expectations surrounding him. After a promising minor league season where he hit .298/.395/.534 with seven homers in 35 games for Iowa, his transition to the big leagues has been rocky. The Cubs are currently leading the NL Central with an 11-8 record, but they have been receiving subpar production from the third base position. This season, the Cubs have recorded a wRC+ of just 62 from that spot, ranking them 22nd in the majors.
In a series of roster moves, the Cubs also placed right-hander Eli Morgan on the 15-day injured list due to an elbow impingement. Morgan, who was acquired from Cleveland during the offseason, has struggled with a 12.27 ERA over seven appearances this season. His injury came after he felt discomfort while recording two outs in a 10-4 loss to the Padres. The Cubs will assess his condition further when they return to Chicago after their West Coast trip.
To fill the gaps left by Shaw and Morgan, the Cubs activated infielder Vidal Bruján from the 10-day injured list and recalled relievers Luke Little and Daniel Palencia from Triple-A. Bruján’s return adds depth to the infield, while Little and Palencia are expected to bolster a bullpen that faced challenges in recent games. Right-hander Nate Pearson was also optioned to Iowa after struggling with a 10.38 ERA in 8.2 innings this season.
In other news from around the league, the Milwaukee Brewers have recalled Logan Henderson from Triple-A Nashville to help address a pitching staff plagued by injuries. Henderson, who has primarily started in the minors, is expected to work out of the bullpen for the time being. The Brewers made room for him by sending right-hander Elvin Rodriguez back to Nashville, where he had an 0-2 record and a 7.53 ERA in four appearances.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds activated several key players, including right-hander Alexis Diaz, infielder Matt McLain, and outfielder Austin Hays, just in time for their series against the Seattle Mariners. The Reds enter this series on a hot streak, having won five of their last six games, and are looking to build on that momentum.
The Cubs, who have high hopes for Shaw's future, are not viewing this demotion as a permanent setback. With a strong roster and a focus on winning now, the team aims to maximize its potential while allowing its young players the necessary time to develop. As they continue their season, the Cubs will be looking for more consistent offensive production, particularly from the corners of the infield.
As the Cubs face the Padres, they are reminded of the challenges of integrating young talent into a competitive environment. With Shaw's demotion, the team will likely utilize a combination of Jon Berti, Gage Workman, and Bruján at third base moving forward. Berti has shown promise this season, hitting .278 with five stolen bases, and will be a key part of the team's strategy as they seek to maintain their lead in the division.
Overall, the Cubs are making calculated moves to ensure they remain competitive while also nurturing their top prospects. The coming weeks will be crucial for Shaw as he looks to refine his skills in Triple-A and make a return to the big leagues, where he will need to prove he can handle the pressures of Major League Baseball.
