The Rishonim here discuss Rebbi's view regarding Muktzeh as well as in Beitzah. In our Sugya, the Gemara does not conclude that Rebbi holds like Rebbi Shimon regarding Muktzeh, but the Rishonim (Ramban, Rashba, Ran) all ask from the Gemara on the next page where it says that Rebbi once ruled like Rebbi Shimon that there is not Muktzeh regarding a candle.

The Rishonim suggest that regarding Mukzeh Machmas Isur, meaning the candle which at present is burning, he has not removed it from his mind and is waiting for it to burn out so he can move it, so Rebbi holds like Rebbi Shimon on this, but regarding items which are not ready for use, Rebbi would hold that there is a concept of Muktzeh since he has removed it from his mind before Shabbos and the item is not fit for use.

The fact that the Gemara here offers three answers, and two out of the three imply that Rebbi does not hold Muktzeh unless it was not fit for use before Shabbos (like Grogeros and Tzimukim) implies that indeed Rebbi does not hold of Muktzeh as a general rule but rather it has limited, specific parameters (unfit for use and removed from his mind before Shabbos).

Yoel Domb