The Chicago Cubs could have a fairly substantial issue on their hands regarding the opening-day roster. On paper, manager Craig Counsell’s ideal lineup is fairly set. Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and the newly acquired Alex Bregman are expected to be Chicago’s starting infield.
Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki were penciled in as Counsell’s three outfielders. Suzuki, however, recently suffered a knee injury while playing for Japan at the World Baseball Classic. While it remains to be seen how long the star will remain out, there are suggestions that the issue is relatively minor. Suzuki is not expected to miss significant time.
Despite the positive news regarding Suzuki, the Cubs could very well start the 2026 season without the outfielder. If so, Counsell will have to make a big decision on who to play in right field. The versatile Matt Shaw would likely be the coach’s preferred choice. Shaw was essentially kicked out of the starting third baseman conversation with the addition of Bregman.
Due to the move, Shaw has received reps in the outfield throughout spring training. Nevertheless, the experiment has not exactly gone as planned for the youngster. The typical infielder committed two errors during a preseason game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 18. Shaw dropped a fly ball and had another ball go under his glove on the day. According to Sports Illustrated, the Sophomore now has three errors in just 33 outfield innings this spring.
Chicago Cubs Need to Find way to get Matt Shaw’s Bat in Lineup
GettyMatt Shaw has struggled in the outfield during spring training.
Cubs management likely knew that Shaw’s transition would come with growing pains. After all, the slugger has not been deployed in the outfield during his professional career. The last time he featured outside of the infield was in his collegiate summer league days when he was 19.
Along with featuring in the outfield, Counsell has also deployed Shaw at first base during spring training. Although the youngster has claimed that playing different positions has “been a lot of fun,” there are likely growing concerns within the organization.
Despite the defensive issues, Shaw has continued to mash at the plate in the preseason, slashing .361/.455/.500. Counsell will likely want to get him into the lineup anyway possible this season. After acquiring Bregman in the offseason, Shaw was heavily linked with a move away from the North Side. The Cubs, however, have avoided making the move due to the slugger’s skills at the plate.
Veteran, Rookie Could Also be Deployed in Right Field
If Chicago has reservations about relying on the slugger in the outfield, they will have to go with other options. At the moment, the most likely candidate may be Michael Conforto. The 33-year-old veteran has plenty of MLB experience in the outfield. He would almost certainly be a more reliable right fielder for the Cubs than Shaw. Nevertheless, Conforto would be a downgrade at the plate compared to the utility man.
As Sports Illustrated points out, top prospect Kevin Alcantara may become an option as well. The fourth-ranked prospect in the organization played most of 2025 in AAA Iowa. The 6’6″ budding star did make a fairly successful cameo with Chicago as well, though. So far this spring, Alcantara has eight hits in 27 at-bats (.296 AVG), but has also struck out 33% of the time.
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