CHICAGO -- The way Cubs manager Craig Counsell phrased it, veteran lefty Matthew Boyd woke up on Wednesday morning as a healthy player. In a matter of hours, a fluke setback while at home created yet another obstacle for the North Siders to try to overcome in the weeks ahead.
Counsell announced prior to Wednesday’s walk-off win against the Reds that Boyd sustained a left meniscus injury while on the ground with his kids.
“It’s kind of unexplainable,” Counsell said.
Following an MRI later that day, Boyd had successful left knee meniscectomy surgery Thursday morning in Chicago. The procedure is considered a partial repair of his meniscus, and the club is hopeful Boyd can return in roughly six weeks.
"It's probably closer to six weeks, and that's with him getting ramped back up," Counsell said pregame Thursday. "That's what we're hopeful for. Obviously, we will see how it all goes. The important thing is, how much time do we miss of throwing? That's the biggest thing. The knee is going to recover quickly, but how much throwing down time do we have to take?"
The injury forces the team to once again figure out how to address the ever-growing puzzle that is the rotation.
Lefty Justin Steele (left elbow surgery in April 2025) recently had a setback in his comeback bid and is not a potential option until the second half. Cade Horton underwent season-ending surgery on his right elbow last month. Lefty Jordan Wicks has been on the IL due to a left forearm issue and has struggled recently (12 runs in his last two outings) in a rehab stint with Triple-A Iowa.
Top prospect Jaxon Wiggins (No. 48 on Pipeline’s Top 100 list) is on the Minor League IL due to right elbow inflammation. Wiggins has resumed throwing in Arizona, but his timetable is unclear. The Minor League depth beyond Wiggins is also thin in terms of viable options in the immediate picture for the big league team.
Boyd last started for the Cubs on Sunday, so his spot in the rotation comes around on Friday, when Chicago begins a three-game road series against the Rangers. The Cubs announced after Thursday's 8-3 win over the Reds that multi-inning reliever Ben Brown would start the series opener in Arlington.
The Cubs have really valued what the righty has done as a bridge arm for the bullpen, posting a 2.10 ERA in 25 2/3 innings (12 games), and he'll help the club cover some innings as it navigates another injury. Brown has a 5.23 ERA in 23 career starts across 2024 and 2025.
"That's really been my goal with Ben, period -- is to keep him in bigger outings," Counsell said. "Just because I think he's capable of carrying that innings load, and it's a good contrast to the other guys we have in the bullpen. We're just trying to think about the innings puzzle moving forward here. And then you're also just trying to think about what's next, you have to play that game unfortunately. You always have to play that game. What do we do if something else happens? We just have to make sure we are covered there."
The 35-year-old Boyd was named the Cubs’ Opening Day starter this season after going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA last year, when he was an All-Star and had his most innings (179 2/3), starts (31) and strikeouts (154) since 2019. In five starts so far this season, the lefty had 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, but had been regaining his form of late. In Sunday’s outing against the D-backs, the left-hander turned in a quality start, allowing two runs over six innings and helping Chicago clinch its 11th consecutive home win at the time.
Counsell chatted with Boyd on Wednesday and said the pitcher was “where anybody would be” mentally after such a frustrating injury. He also texted Boyd, who was in good spirits, following his surgery on Thursday. Boyd will stay back in Chicago while the team is on the road in Texas and Atlanta.
Right-hander Colin Rea (Wednesday’s starter) moved into the rotation after Horton went down. Javier Assad helped out while Boyd was shelved previously and now Brown will fill in to supplement Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Edward Cabrera and Rea.
"This is an opportunity for somebody,” said Counsell. “Through those opportunities, good things can happen. And that’s how you have to see it.”