Cubs add Matt Shaw to roster; Keegan Thompson designated for assignment

We’re less than six hours before the start of the season in Tokyo and the Cubs needed to make some roster moves before tonight’s game. Those moves are now complete as rookie infielder Matt Shaw has been added to the 40-man and 26-man rosters. To make room for Shaw on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson was designated for assignment.

Additionally. right-hander Javier Assad was placed on the 15-day injured list and right-hander Daniel Palencia was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Shaw, the Cubs’ top prospect and first-round pick in 2023, was expected to win the starting third base job in Spring Training and he did, hitting .313/.421/.375 in six Spring Training games. Between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa last year, Shaw hit .284/.379/.488 in 121 games.

Thompson was the Cubs third-round pick in 2017 and he made his major-league debut in 2021. Since then he’s pitched out of both the bullpen and starting rotation and between Chicago and Iowa. He’s also made several trips to the injured list, which has limited his effectiveness. But in the 30 ¹⁄₃ innings over 24 relief appearances last year, Thompson went 2-1 with two saves and a 2.67 ERA. The writing seemed to be on the wall for Thompson when he was left off the travel squad for Tokyo.

It seems likely that some team will claim Thompson on waivers or the Cubs will trade him before he clears.

The Opening Day 26-man roster for the Cubs is now set.

Starting pitchers:

Shota Imanaga

Justin Steele

Relievers:

Ryan Brasier

Ben Brown

Porter Hodge

Julian Merryweather

Tyson Miller

Eli Morgan

Nate Pearson

Ryan Pressly

Colin Rea

Caleb Thielbar

Jordan Wicks

Catchers:

Miguel Amaya

Carson Kelly

Infielders:

Jon Berti

Vidal Bruján

Michael Busch

Matt Shaw

Dansby Swanson

Justin Turner

Gage Workman

Outfielders:

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Ian Happ

Seiya Suzuki

Kyle Tucker

Inactive players:

Matthew Boyd

Brad Keller

Reese McGuire

Daniel Palencia

Jameson Taillon

Obviously this roster is designed for a two-game series in Japan and will be adjusted before the “real” Opening Day in Arizona.