Cubs telegraph Matt Shaw's return with latest roster move ahead of pivotal Reds series

The Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field on Friday after a disappointing road trip. The Cubs dropped two of three games against both the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks, and enter the weekend seven games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central. The Cubs remain the top Wild Card team, but the Philadelphia Phillies are only two games behind them.

A pivotal two-week stretch is ahead of the Cubs. After their series against the Cincinnati Reds this weekend, they will host the Brewers for four games next week. A week later, they travel to Milwaukee for a three-game set. A reminder that despite the seven-game deficit, there's a path for the Cubs to make up ground in the division.

Of course, the Cubs can't overlook the task in front of them and that's beating the Reds over the weekend. Reinforcements should be arriving for the series as well. The Cubs transaction log revealed on Thursday night that Kevin Alcantara has once again been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Matt Shaw appears to be making his return to the Chicago Cubs just in time

The corresponding move will likely be revealed closer to the start of the game on Friday afternoon, but it's likely the Matt Shaw will be making his return to the Cubs. Shaw has been sidelined since the end of June with a wrist sprain, and the recovery wasn't as short as the team originally expected.

Shaw started a minor-league rehab assignment on August 19, and he has six hits through 20 plate appearances. Shaw was not in the lineup for the Iowa Cubs on Thursday, likely a sign that he was making his way back to Chicago to be reinstated from the IL.

The Reds recently placing Eugenio Suarez on outright waivers led to Cubs speculating about Suarez's potential fit, suggesting he could be used as designated hitter against left-handed pitchers. The reality of the situation is that the Cubs were never going to take on the remaining $3 million owed to Suarez, considering Shaw offers the same capabilities. Not to mention, Shaw's positional versatility and defensive upside outweighs the potential of Suarez getting hot for a month with the Cubs.

Expect Shaw to get regular appearances in the starting lineup against lefties, and with Dansby Swanson sidelined on the IL, Counsell has the ability to be flexible now that Shaw appears to be returning. Between Shaw and Pedro Ramirez, the Cubs can be diverse with their lineup construction.

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