CHICAGO — The Cubs added more intrigue to the Matt Shaw situation Sunday afternoon.

The organization’s top prospect originally was in Triple-A Iowa’s lineup but was replaced before the game started, per the Des Moines Register’s Tommy Birch.

On its own, that’s a mighty interesting tidbit. But Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins also hinted at a potential Shaw call-up when he joined “Cubs Live!” on Marquee Sports Network before Sunday’s game at Wrigley Field.

When asked about Shaw, Hawkins said: “He went back down to work on some adjustments, trying to tone himself down a little bit, get on time a little bit more effectively, and we’ve seen that over the last few games. The results have been pretty obvious — four home runs in the last three games. We’re encouraged, and hopefully he’ll be able to help us out here soon.”

When pressed on how soon, Hawkins played coy a bit.

“We’ll see,” he said. “Sooner than later, I would imagine. If he can continue to do what he’s doing right now, that’s pretty loud. Hard to ignore.”

[Catch the full interview with Carter Hawkins on the Marquee Sports Network app]

Cubs leadership has been asked about Shaw every day throughout this week, with the 23-year-old infielder in the midst of a red-hot stretch. He hit two homers in Game 2 of Thursday’s I-Cubs doubleheader, including a walk-off blast. He followed that with two more homers Friday.

Shaw began the 2025 season on the big-league roster as the Cubs’ regular third baseman. But he struggled, hitting just .172 with a .535 OPS in 18 games, so the Cubs opted to send him back to the minors for more seasoning.

Shaw had a bit of a slow start over his first few games in Triple-A after the demotion. But he has fired on all cylinders lately, with a .338/.437/.676 slash line (1.112 OPS) over his last 19 games with six homers and 14 RBI in that stretch. He also has walked 12 times against just 10 strikeouts.

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The Cubs wanted to see Shaw simplify his mechanics and approach at the plate, and they are encouraged by his progress.

“I think he’s working on things, and I think he’s starting to get some results,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Saturday.

The Cubs have a clear hole at third base — essentially the only weakness in a lineup that arguably has been MLB’s best this season. The veteran trio of Jon Berti, Nicky Lopez and Vidal Bruján hasn’t produced much offensively in Shaw’s absence, and they also have made some costly defensive errors at the position.

The Cubs begin a weeklong road trip Monday in Miami with a three-game series against the Marlins.