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

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.

President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged that he has seemingly been squeezed out of the bullpen.