"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.

The Chicago Cubs played their final spring training game stateside on Tuesday afternoon before their official start of the season, falling 9-7 to the Milwaukee Brewers. While there will be another chance for a tune up after the Tokyo Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers before their domestic Opening Day on March 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks,