Cubs' Matt Shaw added first base to the list of positions he has played this spring

MESA, Ariz. — Embroidered up the thumb of utility player Matt Shaw’s glove Wednesday in his first game at first base was the name ‘‘Carson Kelly.’’

First base wasn’t originally in the plans when Shaw entered Cubs camp in a utility role. But when backup first baseman Tyler Austin had a knee operation in late February, Shaw went to find a first baseman’s glove to add to his growing collection.

‘‘They found one in the back for me,’’ Shaw said.

Shaw isn’t expected to be the primary backup to everyday first baseman Michael Busch. Catcher Miguel Amaya has experience at first base, and catcher Kelly is expected to use his own first baseman’s glove at some point this spring.

This is the time, however, for teams to work out their contingency plans and get players some experience.

‘‘It could take a month to get as much action and as many decisions as he had [Wednesday] in the game,’’ manager Craig Counsell said Thursday. ‘‘So I thought it was a great day for Matt. Couldn’t have gone any better in terms of having to make hard plays. Perfect. We couldn’t ask the team to hit it to him better.’’

Shaw knew game reps were going to be necessary to iron out communication with second baseman Nico Hoerner and to get a feel for how far he should range to his right. On Wednesday, the Royals hit two ground balls at the gap between first and second.

‘‘We were laughing about it,’’ Shaw said. ‘‘Two ’tweeners. Two balls already — tough balls, but they were pretty routine for both of us. So that was good.’’

Shaw also had a high chopper hit to him that he misplayed. But he quickly realized he should have dropped back to field the long hop instead of stepping into it like a third baseman does.

‘‘Still trying to make the right read and not necessarily change too much,’’ he said. ‘‘But I know if there’s kind of an in-between ball, I probably have more time.’’

First base was the fifth position Shaw has played this spring.

‘‘I respect what he’s doing this spring,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘It hasn’t been easy, for sure. But I’d rather make it hard right now [and] go into the season with at least some experience at all these things.’’

Roster moves

The Cubs made their second round of camp cuts, reducing their spring roster to 46 players.

They optioned outfielder Justin Dean and left-handed relievers Luke Little and Ryan Rolison to Triple-A Iowa and returned right-hander Vince Velasquez, outfielder Brett Bateman and catchers Ariel Armas and Casey Opitz to minor-league camp.

Amaya returns

Amaya and non-roster catcher Christian Bethancourt returned to camp after Team Panama was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic in pool play.

‘‘It was really fun, for sure,’’ Amaya said. ‘‘And to be there for my country and represent it is always going to be an honor.’’

Cubs 7, Mariners 4

Right-hander Edward Cabrera limited the Mariners to one run in 3⅔ innings Thursday. It was the first run Cabrera, whom the Cubs traded for this offseason, had given up with his new team. He also had three strikeouts.

Asked whether, other than the build-up process, he would be ready to go if the season started tomorrow, Cabrera said, ‘‘One hundred percent.’’

• Outfielder Chas McCormick, who is competing for a roster spot, hit his first home run of the spring.

• On deck: Cubs at White Sox, 3:05 p.m. Friday, Glendale, CHSN, ESPN 1000, Riley Martin vs. Davis Martin.