The Chicago Cubs have sent rookie third baseman Matt Shaw to Triple-A Iowa due to his underwhelming performance, hitting just 10 for 58 with one home run and three RBIs along with 18 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances. Manager Craig Counsell expressed the team's desire to see Shaw regain his form and productivity at a lower level to work through his struggles. The Cubs also made roster moves, placing Eli Morgan on the injured list and reinstating Vidal Bruján from the IL while also optioning Nate Pearson to Iowa.
Morgan, who is dealing with an elbow impingement, has struggled this season with a 12.27 ERA in seven appearances after being acquired from Cleveland in the offseason. Despite these setbacks, the Cubs maintain a strong position in the NL Central with an 11-8 record. The team recently lost ace pitcher Justin Steele to a season-ending elbow injury, further challenging their pitching depth.