Matthew Boyd's Fluke Home Injury Just Cost the Cubs Their Opening Day Starter for 6 Weeks

Matthew Boyd woke up Wednesday morning perfectly healthy. By Wednesday night, he was headed for knee surgery. The Cubs pitcher sustained a left meniscus injury while on the ground with his kids at home, and Cubs manager Craig Counsell had no choice but to call it what it was: "kind of unexplainable."

Boyd had a successful left knee meniscectomy surgery Thursday morning in Chicago. The procedure is a partial repair of the meniscus, and the team is hoping he can return in roughly six weeks. But here's the real problem for Chicago: figuring out how to fill that rotation spot, because the depth chart is looking pretty thin right now.

The Rotation Just Got a Lot Thinner

This injury forces the Cubs to once again scramble to piece together their pitching staff. Justin Steele (left elbow surgery in April 2025) recently had a setback in his comeback bid and won't be available until the second half. Cade Horton underwent season-ending surgery on his right elbow last month. Jordan Wicks is on the IL due to a left forearm issue and has struggled recently, allowing 12 runs in his last two outings in a rehab stint with Triple-A Iowa. Top prospect Jaxon Wiggins is on the Minor League IL due to right elbow inflammation, and his timeline is unclear. The depth beyond that is razor thin for immediate help.

Boyd's spot in the rotation comes up Friday when Chicago starts a three-game road series against the Rangers. Righty Javier Assad, currently in the bullpen, is the leading candidate to take over that role, but Counsell said the team was still examining its options. "I don't think we have anybody completely stretched out as a starter right now," Counsell said. "We're just going to have to put that together."

Finding Solutions on the Fly

Counsell also wouldn't rule out multi-inning reliever Ben Brown, who has posted a 2.10 ERA in 25 2/3 innings across 12 games. But the manager values what Brown brings as a bridge arm for the bullpen and wants to keep him in bigger outings rather than move him to the rotation permanently.

The 35-year-old Boyd was the Opening Day starter after going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA last season, when he was an All-Star and posted 179 2/3 innings, 31 starts, and 154 strikeouts. This season in five starts, he had a 6.00 ERA with 31 strikeouts against six walks in 24 innings. He'll stay back in Chicago while the team is on the road in Texas and Atlanta.

Counsell keeps repeating the same message: "This is an opportunity for somebody. Through those opportunities, good things can happen."

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.