The Chicago Cubs activated utility player Matt Shaw from the 10-day injured list Friday morning, giving the club a familiar piece of roster flexibility just before opening a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.
Shaw had been out since late June after spraining his left hand.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported the development first, writing, “Matt Shaw (hand) is back for the Cubs.”
Marquee Sports Network reporter Taylor McGregor followed with the official roster transaction: “Cubs activate Matt Shaw off 10-day IL. Kevin Alcantara optioned to Triple-A Iowa.”
The corresponding move sent outfielder Kevin Alcantara back to Triple-A Iowa, opening the necessary spot on the 26-man roster.
Shaw landed on the injured list June 29. It was already his second trip to the IL this season after he missed roughly two weeks earlier with mid-back tightness.
The 24-year-old has been used all over the diamond for Chicago in 2026, seeing time at first base, second base, third base and every outfield position.
In 56 games this year he is hitting .246 with a .322 on-base percentage and .415 slugging percentage. He has four home runs, six doubles, two triples and 20 RBI.
The Cubs selected Shaw 13th overall in the 2023 draft out of Maryland.
He reached the majors last season and struggled through a full rookie year, batting .226 with a .295 on-base percentage and .394 slugging percentage across 126 games.
What he has always offered is defensive range. Last season he recorded plus-12 Defensive Runs Saved at third base. This year his most frequent position has been right field, where he has posted plus-3 Defensive Runs Saved.
That kind of positional flexibility matters for a Cubs team that has been searching for consistency. Chicago has dropped six of its last 10 games and is coming off a difficult series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cubs sit at 76-58 and hold the top National League wild-card spot. The Philadelphia Phillies trail them by two games.
In the NL Central, Chicago remains seven games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.
Friday’s series opener against the Reds is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CDT at Wrigley Field. Shaw is not expected to carry the offense, but his ability to fill multiple spots gives manager Craig Counsell another option as the Cubs try to steady themselves in the final stretch of the regular season.
The timing of the activation, coming on the same morning the club prepared to host Cincinnati, underscored how quickly the organization wanted him available again after he completed a minor-league rehab assignment.
