The **Chicago Cubs** are gearing up for an early start to their season, with **Opening Day** just around the corner—but not in the traditional sense. The Cubs will kick off their 2025 campaign with a **two-game series against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan on March 18**. After returning stateside, they’ll wrap up spring training before their domestic opener against the **Arizona Diamondbacks on March 27**.
One of the biggest storylines this spring has been the status of top prospect **Matt Shaw**, the presumptive Opening Day starter whose journey has been anything but smooth. Shaw’s spring got off to a rocky start when he suffered an **oblique injury**, sidelining him temporarily and raising questions about his readiness for the big leagues. Despite the setback, Shaw has been impressive in exhibition games since returning, leaving the Cubs with a tough decision.
According to **Patrick Mooney** of *The Athletic*, the Cubs are still undecided about Shaw’s role for the Japan series. The team is reportedly bringing **Rule 5 selection Gage Workman** and **Vidal Bruján** as potential options for third base, adding another layer of intrigue to the situation.
While Shaw’s injury initially made it seem likely he’d debut during the domestic opener in Arizona, his strong performance has kept him in the conversation for the Japan trip. However, rushing him into action for an international debut after missing valuable spring training time is a risky move. The Cubs’ hesitation to make a final call highlights their confidence in Shaw’s potential to make an immediate impact.
Shaw’s determination to join his teammates in Japan is clear, but the Cubs must weigh the benefits of his early debut against the risks of rushing his development. Whether he makes the trip or not, Shaw has made one thing certain this spring: his arrival in the majors is imminent, and it won’t be long before he’s making waves in Chicago.
The Cubs’ decision on Shaw’s status will reveal just how soon fans can expect to see their top prospect in action—and whether he’ll be part of the team’s historic opening series in Japan.
Leave a Reply