The Chicago Cubs had to make do without rookie third baseman Matt Shaw on Sunday, and the team couldn’t find enough offense in his absence. The Cubs suffered a tight 1-0 loss to the Reds. Fans were disappointed to see their team lose. However, many fans were curious to know why the rookie was not included in the starting lineup and was also not present in the dugout.

Manager Craig Counsell confirmed to reporters afterward that Shaw was at the funeral of a friend. “Matt Shaw was unavailable today,” Counsell said after the loss. “He attended the funeral of a friend.” But The Athletic has reported that the friend was none other than Charlie Kirk, who was brutally shot and murdered.

Notably, it is the second time the 23-year-old skipped a game this month. He had also missed a game back on Se

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