Cubs injury: third baseman Matt Shaw day-to-day with oblique issue

MESA, Ariz. – Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw stood next to third base, arms crossed, looking on intently as Ben Cowles took ground balls Friday.

Shaw is considered day-to-day with a left oblique issue, manager Craig Counsell said Friday, the first day of full-squad workouts.

Unless it unexpectedly develops into a more serious injury, however, Shaw is still the front runner at third base. He’s in his fourth or fifth day of recovery, Counsell estimated, after hurting his oblique on a swing in the batting cages earlier this week.

“Don't anticipate any problems,” Counsell said. “He’s responding really well.”

Shaw’s standing in the third base competition solidified Wednesday night when news came out that Alex Bregman had agreed to terms with the Red Sox. The Cubs had also pursued the veteran third baseman, but their four-year, $115 million offer fell short.

Shaw, a Massachusetts native, first saw the news in a text message from a friend who is a Red Sox fan. But he was following the twists and turns of Bregman’s free agency, knowing it would impact where in the infield he’d have the opportunity to play.

“The Bregman decision gives us, as a team, a little more clarity of moving forward,” Shaw said, “which I think is nice for everybody.”