rewrite this title Matt Shaw’s return to the Cubs couldn’t come at a better time

The Chicago Cubs received good news Monday afternoon, with infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw returning to the lineup. 

According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, Shaw will be activated on Tuesday following Monday’s off day, when the Cubs open a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies. Shaw has been absent from the Cubs since mid-May (May 22) when he was placed on the injured list with mid-back tightness.  

Shaw was not performing well before landing on the injured list, batting .242 with a .691 OPS and was 1-for-his-last-22 in May. That was the opposite while in Iowa, as the 24-year-old collected four hits in 14 at-bats. 

The Cubs getting Shaw back couldn’t have come at a better time, as the team and third baseman Alex Bregman are struggling. 

The Cubs could potentially use Matt Shaw at third base with Alex Bregman struggling

Since Shaw has been out, the Cubs have been one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. In their last 15 games, the Cubs are 5-10, ranking 21st in runs (50), slugging percentage (.388) and tied for fifth with their crosstown rival (the Chicago White Sox) for the most strikeouts (113).

Among the team struggling as a whole, their top free agent signing, Bregman (seven years, $175 million), has been terrible in his first season as a Cub. The three-time All-Star is batting .243 (fifth-worst among the starters) and has a .669 OPS (second-worst), but has played a solid third base (seven defensive runs saved in 62 games). 

Bregman’s struggles prompted the two-time World Series winner to comment on his poor play. 

“I’ve been terrible,” Bregman said to Rogers. “I need to play better. Offensively, it’s been awful. I’ve failed many times in this game. I’ve struggled. I’ve started slow before. I’ve started fast before. When you’re struggling, there is only one way forward and that’s straight, head-on through it. It comes down to executing in the game.”

With Shaw back and Bregman struggling, Counsell could play Shaw a few games at third base to get his bat in the lineup and Bregman a reset. A reset could be what Bregman needs to get himself back to hitting like a Silver Slugger. Shaw was the Cubs’ everyday third baseman last season (124 games, 114 starts) when Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox.

Outside of third, Shaw’s other outlet to play would be in right field, which is where Seiya Suzuki has been while Shaw’s been out. Pete Crow-Armstrong has gotten hot, batting .350 with five home runs in the last 15 games, while Happ is also doing well (leading the team in OPS, .832), blocking 2/3rds of the outfield.