Donation Options Search Search Search Chicago Cubs’ Matt Shaw reacts after striking out against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Detroit. File photo.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell held rookie Matt Shaw out of the starting lineup on Wednesday, giving the young third baseman a day to focus on his pregame work without worrying too much about the night’s game against the Twins.

“That includes rookie and Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw. Shaw made the opening day roster but struggled mightily and was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. He was recalled shortly after and after a blistering hot first few weeks back in the major leagues, he has since cooled off again,” he wrote.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 3: Matt Shaw #6 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates his game-winning sacrifice fly in the 10th inning against the Cleveland Guardians with teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 at Wrigley Field on July 3, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Matt Shaw headed up the first-base line, his bat held skyward in his right hand as he watched the ball travel to deep center field. The Cubs rookie then flipped the bat away following his sacrifice fly,

The Chicago Cubs are expressing interest in Pittsburgh Pirates Gold Glove third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes to replace Matt Shaw at the MLB trade deadline.

If the Chicago Cubs were to add a bat at the trade deadline, third base could be one spot worth a conversation. But would they prefer to keep giving Matt Shaw at-bats?