The Chicago Cubs are sending struggling third baseman Matt Shaw down to Triple-A, the club announced Tuesday.
Shaw, the club's top prospect, started 16 of the first 19 games of the season at third base for the Cubs. The 23-year-old slumped at the plate, slashing .172/.294/.241 with two extra-base hits, 11 runs scored, and three RBIs in 68 plate appearances.
Infielder Vidal Bruján was reinstated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding roster move. Bruján had been sidelined with a right elbow sprain. The Cubs acquired Bruján in a trade with the Miami Marlins for Matt Mervis in December.
Shaw was the 13th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He put together an excellent campaign at the plate in 2024, registering an .867 OPS with 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, 78 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases across two minor-league levels.
The Cubs have Justin Turner, Jon Berti, and Gage Workman capable of playing third base on the 26-man roster.
