Chicago Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw is in line to make his MLB debut at third base after being included on their Opening Day roster for the Tokyo Series matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Javier Assad (strained left oblique) was placed on the 15-day injured list, and the Cubs also optioned Daniel Palencia to Triple-A Iowa and designated Keegan Thompson for assignment in order to make room for Shaw on their roster.
Meanwhile, the heart of a Cubs’ rotation that was tied for the fifth-best starter ERA in MLB last season is returning in 2025, with Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon forming a formidable trio.
Imanaga and Taillon finished in the top-16 in terms of starter ERA last season, and the same would go for Steele if he qualified.
Free agent pickup Matthew Boyd is an intriguing fourth option in the Cubs rotation. He flashed at the end of last season for the Cleveland Guardians after spending most of the season on the injured list as he recovered from left elbow surgery.
Boyd made eight starts for the Guardians in the regular season and finished with a 2.72 ERA, 46 strikeouts and 1.13 WHIP. His good performance carried on into the postseason where he made three starts, allowing one earned run and striking out 14 batters in 11.2 innings of work.
The bullpen will need to see drastic improvements if the Cubs wish to break their four-year postseason drought. While the group was around middle of the pack in terms of ERA, Cubs relievers only managed to convert on 38 of 64 save opportunities last season.
The core of the Cubs’ offense remains relatively the same for 2025, with the departures of Christopher Morel and Cody Bellinger being the only changes to the starting lineup.
The offseason trade for three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker represents the biggest addition for the Cubs’ lineup in 2025. In essence, the Cubs swapped out Bellinger for Tucker, as the former NL MVP was traded to the New York Yankees after he was unable to sustain the same level of offensive production from 2023.
The same goes for Morel, who was shipped off to the Tampa Bay Rays before the trade deadline last season. The Cubs are hoping that Shaw, the No. 19 prospect in MLB, can be their long-term solution.
Nico Hoerner did not travel with the team to Japan as he continues to recover from an offseason flexor tendon procedure on his right forearm. The Cubs hope to have him back for Opening Day back in the United States, barring any setbacks.
The Cubs roster also has some familiar faces in Michael Busch, Ryan Brasier and Justin Turner.
2025 Cubs Opening Day roster
Pitchers (13): Ben Brown, Ryan Brasier, Porter Hodge, Shota Imanaga, Julian Merryweather, Tyson Miller, Eli Morgan, Nate Pearson, Ryan Pressly, Colin Rea, Justin Steele, Caleb Thielbar, Jordan Wicks
Catchers (2): Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly
Infielders (7): Michael Busch, Jon Berti, Vidal Brujan, Dansby Swanson, Matt Shaw, Justin Turner, Gage Workman
Outfielders (4): Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki
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