Cubs rookie Matt Shaw misses 1-0 loss to Reds to attend Charlie Kirk memorial in Arizona

Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw was not in the lineup for Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after the game that Shaw was unavailable because he attended the funeral of a friend. The Athletic reported the reason behind Shaw's absence, citing a league source, while the Daily Mail reached out to Cubs spokespeople for confirmation.

The report tying Shaw's absence to a memorial service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona comes as the Cubs absorbed a one-run defeat in Cincinnati. Kirk, a conservative podcaster and longtime Cubs fan, had previously been photographed at Wrigley Field with Shaw and teammate Michael Busch; the post drew mixed reactions from fans online.

Weeks earlier, Kirk had posted a photo at Chicago's Wrigley Field with Shaw and Busch, a moment that drew a range of responses on social media from baseball supporters and critics alike. The latest note about Shaw's absence frames the situation as a personal-emergency or memorial-related matter, though the Cubs had not publicly expanded on the reason beyond Counsell's funeral comment.

The memorial service in Arizona featured remarks from attendees associated with Kirk, and reports indicate Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk joined other figures onstage during the service. The Daily Mail and other outlets had sought confirmation from Cubs representatives, who did not provide an additional public update before players returned to their preparations.

As the story develops, Shaw’s status with the Cubs and any potential follow-up decisions remain to be clarified by team officials. The club has made no further public comment beyond Counsell’s brief explanation, and there was no immediate update on Shaw’s availability for upcoming games.