\u2018\u2018They found one in the back for me,\u2019\u2019 Shaw said.<\/p>\n
Shaw isn\u2019t expected to be the primary backup to everyday first baseman Michael Busch. Catcher Miguel Amaya has experience at first base, and catcher Kelly is expected to use his own first baseman\u2019s glove at some point this spring.<\/p>\n
This is the time, however, for teams to work out their contingency plans and get players some experience.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018It could take a month to get as much action and as many decisions as he had [Wednesday] in the game,\u2019\u2019 manager Craig Counsell said Thursday. \u2018\u2018So I thought it was a great day for Matt. Couldn\u2019t have gone any better in terms of having to make hard plays. Perfect. We couldn\u2019t ask the team to hit it to him better.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Shaw knew game reps were going to be necessary to iron out communication with second baseman Nico Hoerner and to get a feel for how far he should range to his right. On Wednesday, the Royals hit two ground balls at the gap between first and second.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We were laughing about it,\u2019\u2019 Shaw said. \u2018\u2018Two \u2019tweeners. Two balls already \u2014 tough balls, but they were pretty routine for both of us. So that was good.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Shaw also had a high chopper hit to him that he misplayed. But he quickly realized he should have dropped back to field the long hop instead of stepping into it like a third baseman does.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Still trying to make the right read and not necessarily change too much,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018But I know if there\u2019s kind of an in-between ball, I probably have more time.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
First base was the fifth position Shaw has played this spring.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018I respect what he\u2019s doing this spring,\u2019\u2019 Counsell said. \u2018\u2018It hasn\u2019t been easy, for sure. But I\u2019d rather make it hard right now [and] go into the season with at least some experience at all these things.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Roster moves<\/p>\n
The Cubs made their second round of camp cuts, reducing their spring roster to 46 players.<\/p>\n
They optioned outfielder Justin Dean and left-handed relievers Luke Little and Ryan Rolison to Triple-A Iowa and returned right-hander Vince Velasquez, outfielder Brett Bateman and catchers Ariel Armas and Casey Opitz to minor-league camp.<\/p>\n
Amaya returns<\/p>\n
Amaya and non-roster catcher Christian Bethancourt returned to camp after Team Panama was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic in pool play.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018It was really fun, for sure,\u2019\u2019 Amaya said. \u2018\u2018And to be there for my country and represent it is always going to be an honor.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Cubs 7, Mariners 4<\/p>\n
Right-hander Edward Cabrera limited the Mariners to one run in 3\u2154 innings Thursday. It was the first run Cabrera, whom the Cubs traded for this offseason, had given up with his new team. He also had three strikeouts.<\/p>\n
Asked whether, other than the build-up process, he would be ready to go if the season started tomorrow, Cabrera said, \u2018\u2018One hundred percent.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2022 Outfielder Chas McCormick, who is competing for a roster spot, hit his first home run of the spring.<\/p>\n
\u2022 On deck: Cubs at White Sox, 3:05 p.m. Friday, Glendale, CHSN, ESPN 1000, Riley Martin vs. Davis Martin.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Boyd is set to make the third Opening Day start of his career but his first in a full-capacity stadium.<\/p>\n [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone] read<\/p>\n![\"2026](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773363792_627_.jpeg\"\/)
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