When The Cubs Could Activate Matt Shaw From The Injured List
The versatile utility specialist is ramping up his rehab assignment in Triple-A, signaling a swift return to Chicago's bench as the club's injury-plagued roster finally nears full strength.
Video Transcript
What is up, Cubs fans?
And welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
I'm Joey Polizzi, talking about all things Cubs.
And the Chicago Cubs are slowly but surely getting healthier.
Three key players are expected back for the Cubs within the next week to 10 days.
Albert Cabrera is set to start on Saturday, and coming off the IL after he has been dealing with a blister issue recently.
Matthew Boyd is expected to pitch in his final rehab assignment game this Saturday at Triple-A Iowa.
And Matt Shaw recently began a rehab assignment with the Iowa Cubs on Tuesday.
Shaw first landed on the injured list back on May 22nd due to some back tightness.
And after some treatment over the past week, Shaw looks to be ready toward a return.
He appeared in a rehab assignment game on Tuesday for the Iowa Cubs, starting in center field and batting second.
He had a few fly balls hit his way out in center field, including a nice track down catch in the first inning, and he went oh for three at the plate against future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander.
But sh- the most important thing with Shaw here is, is that he got out of that rehab assignment start fully healthy.
He again started for the Iowa Cubs on Wednesday, be in the designated hitter spot and batting second.
And with Shaw, and dealing with some back tightness, assuming he continues to feel good after these rehab assignment games, there's a strong chance that he is back with the Cubs within the next few days.
He won't need many rehab assignment starts to ramp up, so expect Shaw to be activated from the injured list here within the next few days.
And with the Cubs needing a roster spot for Shaw, that means one player is gonna have to go down to Triple-A Iowa again.
And it's kind of between Calvin Alfantar and Pedro Ramirez.
Of the two, Ramirez is probably the odd man out.
He has only s- he has as- only started a few games for the Cubs since being up and hasn't started in a game since May 25th.
And with Shaw, you know, gonna be back from the injured list, they don't really need Pedro Ramirez anymore as that backup infielder.
That's kinda Shaw's role, and then that's kinda why I think sh- Ramirez is gonna be the odd man out.
But let me know what you guys think.
When Shaw returns, who do you think goes down?
Is it gonna be Alfantar?
Is it gonna be Ramirez?
Let me know down below.
And as always, guys, go Cubs go
