MLB: Miami Marlins at Chicago Cubs May 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Nicky Lopez (12) after the game against thew Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs designate 30-year-old infielder for assignment in response to Matt Shaw being called up

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Andy Jachim | Last updated May 19, 2025 3:34 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are hoping that their issues at third base in 2025 will be resolved following an important roster move they made on Monday morning. It was announced that Matt Shaw would be joining the team for their three-game series that begins in Miami on Monday night. The top prospect began the campaign as the club’s third baseman, but lasted just 18 games before being sent down to Triple-A to work on his swing.

Shaw has been crushing the ball with the Iowa Cubs in his stint there, and has earned his promotion ahead of the six-game road trip this week. It was unknown over the weekend who the odd man out would be from the group rotating in at third base during Shaw’s absence, but that was made official as well early-Monday afternoon.

Chicago Cubs designate Nicky Lopez for assignment

The early report Monday morning was that Lopez didn’t make the trip with the team to Miami and they were looking to trade him after the news of Shaw being called up broke. After the front office could not find a trade partner, Lopez was officially designated for assignment.

Lopez was with the Cubs in Spring Training before asking for his release once it was known he wasn’t on the traveling roster to Japan for the Tokyo series. The veteran was brought back during the regular season after the Gage Workman experiment didn’t go according to plan, and has been with the team team for the past few weeks. Lopez appeared in 14 games and collected just one hit in 18 at-bats in his second stint with the Cubs organization in 2025.

MLB: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Apr 29, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs infielder Nicky Lopez (12) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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