The Chicago Cubs were the first teams to open camp on Feb 9 to their pitchers and catchers, given that they open their season in Japan next month.
With all the key acquisitions they made this offseason, the Cubs are primed to be one of the better teams in the National League this year.
The Cubs so far have had very few injuries with a few of their players dealing with oblique issues.
The Chicago Cubs have a couple of injuries entering camp
The Cubs are already plagued by the injury bug, with a couple of their players down with oblique issues. Earlier in the week the Cubs got news that right-handed pitcher Javier Assad has a mild oblique strain and will be shut down for some time.
Now it appears that the Cubs’ top prospect Matt Shaw is dealing with an oblique issue which USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale says “is not serious” and says the Cubs think Shaw should only be down for a few days.
“Cubs prized third base prospect Matt Shaw is dealing with an oblique issue but the Cubs don’t believe it’s serious and is day to day.”
Cubs prized third base prospect Matt Shaw is dealing with an oblique issue but the Cubs don’t believe it’s serious and is day to day.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 14, 2025
A critical part of the Cubs offense
Shaw has the opportunity to break camp with the Cubs and be their starting third baseman on Opening Day. Shaw is primed to have a spectacular career, showing the ability to perform at every level and passing all the tests the Cubs have laid out for him.
Last season Shaw was nothing short of impressive, playing in 121 games between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. In those games, Shaw had 19 doubles, 4 triples, 21 HRs, 71 RBI, and 31 stolen bases and only being caught 11 times. Shaw also impressed with the ability to limit his strikeouts only having 95 in 443 at bats.
Marquee Sports Network projects that Shaw will play in 123 games this season where he’ll hit .253 have 17 HRs, 63 RBI, have an OPS of .729, and have 16 stolen bases. If Shaw can put up those numbers, Shaw will certainly finish the year in the Rookie of the Year voting.
“Matt Shaw’s projected numbers for 2025”
Matt Shaw’s projected numbers for 2025 👀 pic.twitter.com/V2TTxBzbFm
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 13, 2025
Thankfully this isn’t serious
Thankfully the news of Shaw’s injury isn’t too serious and he shouldn’t miss that much time.
Most of the Cubs position players are starting to trickle into camp and Shaw has some time to heal up before they play their first game of spring.
The Cubs will open up against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Feb 20 and the Cubs play them in the opening series over in Tokyo, Japan on March 18.
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