Cubs' Matthew Boyd Poised for Return from Injured List During Upcoming Road Trip

CHICAGO (AP) — Matthew Boyd, the opening day starter for the Chicago Cubs, has successfully wrapped up a minor league rehabilitation assignment and is anticipated to rejoin the team’s rotation by next weekend. The 35-year-old left-handed pitcher, who earned All-Star honors in 2025, is recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury he sustained while playing with his children at home on May 4.

Boyd's rehab stint included a five-inning outing at Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, where he allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out seven batters. He threw a total of 83 pitches, with 64 finding the strike zone. Prior to a game against San Francisco on Sunday night, Boyd was seen in the Cubs' clubhouse, indicating his imminent return would significantly strengthen a rotation plagued by injuries.

Manager Craig Counsell confirmed Boyd's recovery, stating, “He’s healthy. Everything’s good. Got to the 80-pitch mark, which is a good thing. So he’ll be active on this road trip at some point.” Boyd, who missed three weeks in April due to a biceps strain, has made only five starts in the 2026 season, holding a record of 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA. In contrast, last season he had a more impressive 14-8 record with a 3.21 ERA across 31 starts.

In other news, two-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop Dansby Swanson was absent from the lineup for the second consecutive game due to ongoing difficulties at the plate. The 32-year-old is currently batting .180, ranking as one of the lowest averages among major league regulars. Over his last 14 games, Swanson has managed just six hits in 46 at-bats, resulting in a dismal .130 average. Counsell suggested that Swanson is likely to start on Tuesday as the Cubs kick off a three-game series in Colorado, followed by a weekend series against the Giants in San Francisco.

Nico Hoerner shifted from second base to shortstop during Sunday’s game, while Pedro Ramirez filled in at second base for the struggling Cubs, who have lost 19 of their last 26 games.