The Cubs may have another health situation on their hands, and this one involves one of the players who has quietly become useful in a lot of different ways.
Matt Shaw was pulled from Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth inning, when Craig Counsell sent Justin Dean in to pinch-hit for him. That move raised eyebrows right away, and after the game Counsell said Shaw was dealing with wrist soreness.
That’s the part Chicago doesn’t want to hear.
Shaw already spent time on the injured list in May because of back tightness, missing nearly three weeks before going on a rehab assignment at Triple-A. He’s been back to producing since returning, too, putting together a .257/.395/.457 slash line with a home run, two triples, eight RBI and a stolen base.
Even Sunday’s appearance had some warning signs. Shaw didn’t start the game, then came off the bench and worked a seven-pitch walk in the seventh inning.
He took just one swing in that plate appearance, and it was a foul ball. That swing was clocked at 66 mph, which is more than 5 mph below his season-average swing speed in 2026.
There’s been real value beyond the bat, too. Shaw’s been better in right field, which gives the Cubs the flexibility to slide Seiya Suzuki to designated hitter when they need to.
After a strong second half to close 2025, Shaw has posted a 107 wRC+ in 147 plate appearances this season. He’s been especially productive against left-handed pitching, hitting .279/.353/.492 with two homers, five doubles and a triple in 68 plate appearances.
That’s why another trip to the injured list would sting. When Shaw starts against lefties, Chicago’s lineup gets deeper from top to bottom. For now, the hope is that this is just a minor wrist issue and not something that keeps him out for long.
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