On Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs made their decision on the status of rookie infielder Matt Shaw before the team’s trip to Japan this week. The Cubs are set to fly to Tokyo to play a couple of exhibition matches before playing two regular season games against the Los Angeles Dodgers starting on March 18.

Shaw is expected to make his major-league debut in the Tokyo Series. The Cubs will have to clear a 40-man-roster spot to activate him, but they don’t have to make any moves until just before Opening Day in Japan.

"I’ve been preparing for this opportunity for my entire life," the 23-year-old Shaw said of making Chicago's travel roster.