‘Things Change’: Chicago Cubs brutal demotion for struggling rookie is turning heads

The Chicago Cubs made several roster moves on Tuesday before the second game of their series against the San Diego Padres. The Cubs lost 10-4 to the Padres on Tuesday, and their record fell to 11-8.

The Cubs enjoy a 1.5 game lead on the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds for first place in the NL Central. However, injuries and early season struggles have made Chicago shake up the roster.

The Chicago Cubs made several roster moves

Per Taylor McGregor of MLB Network, the Cubs reinstated Vial Brujan from the 10-day IL, placed pitcher Eli Morgan on the 15-day IL for an elbow injury, recalled Luke Little from Triple-A, recalled Daniel Palencia from Triple-A, and ptioned Nate Pearson.

They also optioned rookie third baseman Matt Shaw to Triple-A.

#Cubs Roster Moves:

-Matt Shaw optioned to Triple-A.
-Vidal Brujan had been reinstated from the 10-day IL.
-Eli Morgan placed on the 15-day IL with a right elbow impingement.
-Luke Little recalled from Triple-A.
-Daniel Palencia recalled from Triple-A.
-Nate Pearson optioned…

— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) April 15, 2025

The most controversial move they made was sending Shaw to Iowa.

The rookie third baseman is hitting .172/.294/.241 with one home run and three RBIs. He was stuck out 18 times. Shaw has recorded four errors and a .886 fielding percentage.

Per Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the Cubs wanted to avoid sending Shaw to Triple-A.

“The Cub sent down 3b Matt Shaw today,” Rodgers posted on X. “Hitting .172 and was bottom 2 percent in exit velo. Decent command of the zone though with a 1.80 SO/W rate. Assume this means more of 40 year-old Justin Turner at third. Wasn’t something Craig Counsell wanted to do in spring. Things change.”

The Cub sent down 3b Matt Shaw today. Hitting .172 and was bottom 2 percent in exit velo. Decent command of the zone though with a 1.80 SO/W rate. Assume this means more of 40 year-old Justin Turner at third. Wasn’t something Craig Counsell wanted to do in spring. Things change.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) April 15, 2025

Cubs fans react to Matt Shaw being demoted

Many Cubs fans on social media thought the team was being too harsh in sending him down.

Matt Shaw is OK. That’s just part of the process. He’ll be back,” wrote a fan.

“If 19 games were all they were going to give him to get his offense rolling, he probably should have just started the year in AAA. Feels knee jerky. The team offense is performing great despite him slumping and he’s playing well at 3B,” posted another.

“Should have signed Bregman … but Tom said ‘Biblical losses,’” suggested a poster who believes the Cubs made an error by not signing Alex Bregman and trusting in Shaw.

“Shaw wasn’t that bad,” wrote a fan.

“Shaw is not the problem….and bringing up garbage to replace garbage is not the answer,” argued a poster.

“I think the Shaw move is premature and there is little that Matt will learn from AAA pitching. I do like the pitching moves though.,” posted another.

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