Shaw was born to Richard, a member of the California Highway Patrol, and Michelle (Shelli) Shaw. He attended Livermore High School in Livermore, California where he played baseball, football, and basketball.^[1]

Amateur edit

Shaw attended California State University, Long Beach. He played college baseball for the Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball team. Shaw's roommate in college was teammate Vance Worley.^[2] In 2007, Shaw played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.^[3][4]

Arizona Diamondbacks edit

Shaw was selected in the second round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.^[2] He was called up by Arizona on June 10, 2011.^[5] Shaw made his major league debut that day, coming in for Esmerling Vásquez, who had just given up a leadoff double. Shaw pitched one scoreless inning against the Florida Marlins, giving up two walks and one strikeout, coming against Scott Cousins.^[6]

Shaw was recalled from the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces on August 11, 2012.^[7]

Cleveland Indians edit

On December 11, 2012, Shaw was traded to the Cleveland Indians in a three-team deal involving Trevor Bauer and Shin-Soo Choo.^[8] Shaw and his wife, Kristen, had bought a house in Arizona the day before the trade.^[9]

Shaw had a good 2014 season. In 80 games and 76.1 innings, he finished 5–5 with a 2.59 earned run average (ERA), 64 strikeouts, and 2 saves. Shaw appeared in more games than any other big league pitcher that year.

In 2016, Shaw led the American League (AL) in games pitched again, with 75. He went 2–5 with a 3.24 ERA and helped Cleveland win the pennant. Shaw gave up the game-winning run to the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, in extra innings.

In 2017, Shaw was 4–6 with a 3.52 ERA in 79 games, and he threw a cutter 87.1% of the time, tops in MLB.^[10]

Colorado Rockies edit

On December 12, 2017, Shaw signed a three-year, $27 million deal, with the Colorado Rockies.^[11] Through 41 appearances in the first half of the season, Shaw endured the worst start to his career, posting an ERA of 7.57 in 35+2⁄3 innings, surrendering 50 hits. He was placed on the disabled list on June 25 with a calf injury.^[12] For the 2018 season, he was 4–6 with a 5.93 ERA.^[13] He threw a cutter 84.36% of the time, tops in MLB.^[14] In 2019, Shaw posted an ERA over 5 for the second straight season. He ended the 2019 season with a 3–2 record in 70 games.

The Rockies released Shaw on July 17, 2020.

Seattle Mariners edit

Shaw signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners on July 22, 2020.^[15] He was optioned to the alternate site on August 7, 2020. He was designated for assignment on August 15, 2020. Four days later, on August 19, he was outrighted from the 40-man roster and remained in the alternate site. Shaw elected free agency on October 14, 2020.^[16]

Cleveland Indians / Guardians (second stint) edit

On February 3, 2021, Shaw signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians organization and was invited to spring training.^[17][18] The Indians selected Shaw's contract on March 31, 2021.^[19][20] In 2021 he led the majors with 81 games pitched and recorded a 3.49 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 77+1⁄3 innings. Shaw became a free agent on November 3, 2021.

On March 25, 2022, Shaw signed a one-year major league contract with the newly named Cleveland Guardians.^[21] On July 27, Shaw made the first start of his career, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with one walk and 2 strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched against the Boston Red Sox. His 732 appearances prior to the start marked the most games pitched prior to a player making his first career start in AL/NL history, surpassing the previous record held by David Robertson (with 670 relief outings).^[22] Shaw appeared in 60 games for Cleveland in 2022, posting a 6–2 record and 5.40 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 58.1 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on October 1, 2022.^[23] After clearing waivers, Shaw was outrighted to the minor leagues on October 3. He elected minor league free agency on November 10, 2022.^[24]

Chicago White Sox edit

On February 21, 2023, Shaw signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization.^[25][26] On March 26, Shaw was released by the White Sox after being informed he would not make the Opening Day roster.^[27][28]

Shaw re-signed with Chicago on a new minor league contract on April 28.^[29] In 21 relief appearances with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he pitched to a 2–0 record with a 4.03 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 22.1 innings. On July 2, his contract was selected by the White Sox following an injury to starter Michael Kopech.^[30] In 6 games, he struggled to a 9.39 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 7+2⁄3 innings of work. On July 22, Shaw was designated for assignment by the White Sox.^[31] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Charlotte on July 24.^[32] On July 28, Shaw had his contract selected back to the active roster.^[33] He became a free agent after the season.

On February 17, 2024, Shaw re–signed with the White Sox on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training.^[34] On March 27, the White Sox selected Shaw's contract after he made the team's Opening Day roster.^[35] He made five appearances for Chicago, posting a 9.00 ERA with four strikeouts across four innings pitched. On April 12, the White Sox designated Shaw for assignment.^[36] He elected free agency the following day.^[37]

Los Angeles Angels edit

On April 17, 2024, Shaw signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.^[38]

Shaw and his wife, Kristen, have one son together.^[39]

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet