Cubs Place Matthew Boyd on Injured List

The Chicago Cubs have placed left-hander Matthew Boyd on the 15-day injured list. The move is retroactive to April 3 and is listed as a left bicep strain, Sahadev Sharma of Filmogaz.com reports.

Immediate roster move

Right-hander Javier Assad will be recalled from the minors. He is slated to start the next scheduled game.

Assad had been optioned to begin the season. The club will use him to fill the vacancy in the rotation.

Boyd’s early-season work

Boyd made two starts to open the year. His first outing produced six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.

He rebounded in his second start. Boyd threw 5 2/3 innings against the Angels, struck out ten, and allowed two earned runs.

Scouting data showed a small velocity drop. His fastball averaged 93.3 mph in the first start and 92.2 mph in the second.

Outlook and context

Both Boyd and manager Craig Counsell described the injury as a minor issue. They expect a brief stint on the injured list.

Still, the timing intensifies rotation concerns. The club already had depth questions entering the season.

Current rotation health

• Justin Steele is on the 60-day injured list while rehabbing from last year’s surgery. He is out until at least late May.
• Cade Horton was placed on the injured list last week with forearm discomfort. His status remains uncertain.
• Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon and Shota Imanaga currently occupy three rotation spots.

Internal options and contingency plans

Assad will slot in behind Cabrera, Taillon and Imanaga. Colin Rea, who began the season in the bullpen, is likely to shift into the rotation.

Assad owns a 3.43 ERA across 331 career innings. Rea posted a 3.95 ERA in a swing role last year.

The Cubs restructured Rea’s contract in November to add a club option for 2027. The change signaled the team’s desire to keep his flexibility.

Additional depth notes

• Most remaining 40-man players on optional assignment are relievers.
• Ben Brown sits in the big-league bullpen and could make a spot start if needed.
• Prospect Jaxon Wiggins is in Triple-A but is not on the 40-man roster. He has struggled with control, posting a 13.9% walk rate so far this year.
• Non-roster veteran Vince Velasquez recently threw five innings in a Triple-A start.

The move to Cubs Place Matthew Boyd on Injured List adds another wrinkle to a rotation already laboring under injuries. The club will monitor his progress while working through short-term options.