The Chicago Cubs have been dealt another blow as veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd is set to miss time with a left meniscus injury. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Boyd woke up on Wednesday a healthy player, but a fluke setback at home has created another obstacle for the team.
Counsell announced that Boyd sustained the injury while on the ground with his kids. An MRI revealed the knee setback, which will require surgery in the coming days.
Boyd’s Injury Details
Counsell said the injury was “kind of unexplainable”. The ballclub will know more about Boyd’s timetable for return after the surgery occurs. The Cubs will use the next few days to discuss how to address the hole in the rotation.
Boyd has been placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Monday). Right-handed reliever Trent Thornton had his contract selected from Triple-A Iowa. Lefty Charlie Barnes was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Thornton.
Rotation Options for the Cubs
Boyd last started for the Cubs on Sunday, and his spot in the rotation comes around on Friday. Chicago begins a three-game road series against the Rangers. Javier Assad is the leading candidate to take over that spot, but Counsell said the team was still examining its options.
Counsell said he was not yet ready to name Boyd’s replacement in the rotation. He added that plans were very loose and would be figured out after Thursday.
Boyd’s Season So Far
Boyd was named the Cubs’ Opening Day starter this season after going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA last year. He was an All-Star and had his most innings (179 2/3), starts (31) and strikeouts (154) since 2019. In five starts this season, Boyd has a 6.00 ERA with 31 strikeouts against six walks in 24 innings.
Boyd already missed time on the IL from April 2-21 due to a left biceps strain. He had been regaining his form of late. In Sunday’s outing against the D-backs, Boyd turned in a quality start, allowing two runs over six innings.
Counsell’s Conversation With Boyd
Counsell chatted with Boyd on Wednesday and said the pitcher was “where anybody would be” mentally after such a frustrating injury.
“It happened very innocently,” Counsell said. “He’s just trying to process it and get all the information from the doctors and figure out what’s next.”
The setback with Boyd is just the latest in a growing list of injuries the Cubs have dealt with this season.
Lefty Justin Steele recently had a setback in his comeback bid and is not a potential option until the second half.