MESA, Ariz. — The biggest attraction Tuesday afternoon at Sloan Park never made a plate appearance or threw a pitch.

No, the star of Tuesday’s Cubs camp spent most of the day inside the home dugout down the third base line, offering advice and tips to the current crop of Cubs hitters.

That was Sammy Sosa, who returned to Cubs spring training on Tuesday for the first time in 21 years.

“I’ve been out for 21 years, but now I’m back here,” Sosa told Taylor McGregor in an exclusive one-on-one interview during the Cubs’ 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks. “I’m just glad to be here.”

[WATCH: An exclusive one-on-one interview with Sammy Sosa]

Sosa is expected to be at Cubs camp for a few days at least, as an alumni instructor, much like other Cubs legends — like Ryne Sandberg, Rick Sutcliffe and Fergie Jenkins — have done this camp. Tuesday, he arrived shortly before first pitch and walked the path from the Nike Performance Center to Sloan Park, snapping photos and then talking with players during the game.

“It brings back memories,” Sosa told McGregor. “I’m happy to see everyone and also happy to be here.

“I’m here, I’m back to my environment. It reminds me like I’m playing again, but different on the bench now.”

Matt Shaw update

Matt Shaw, the Cubs’ 2023 1st-round pick and the presumptive top option to win the Opening Day third base job, is continuing his rehab from a left oblique injury.

“He took ground balls in the stadium yesterday and threw,” manager Craig Counsell said on Tuesday. “So he kind of goes every other day on that perspective.”

Shaw was scheduled to hit in the cages on Tuesday, but don’t have an exact timeline of when he could get into game action.

“No, it’s not too far,” Counsell said. “We’re not ruling him out for anything, I guess is the best way to say it.”

Winning streak continues

The Cubs continued their undefeated run this spring, rallying for their sixth straight win. Vidal Bruján and Carson Kelly each had solo home runs in the 5th to tie the game at 2.

Pete Crow-Armstrong scored from first base on an error to give the Cubs the lead and Reese McGuire drove in Moisés Ballesteros on a bunt single in the 8th to add some cushion.

Next Up

The Cubs travel to Scottsdale, Ariz. to take on the Giants. Shota Imanaga will make his first Cactus League start of the season against San Francisco.