Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd will undergo surgery after damaging his left meniscus during what seemed like an ordinary moment playing with his kids at home Wednesday morning. The team has moved the 35-year-old southpaw to the 15-day injured list, with the placement backdated to Monday.
Manager Craig Counsell revealed that an MRI scan confirmed the knee damage, which will require surgical repair.
“It’s kind of unexplainable,” Counsell said. “Kind of an innocent, going down to the ground and getting back up.”
“He woke up this morning a healthy player,” the manager added. “He’s just trying to process it and get all the information from the doctors to figure out what’s next.”
While Counsell indicated that Boyd’s recovery timeline will depend on how the surgery goes, the organization anticipates having him back on the field before the season ends.
This marks Boyd’s second stint on the injured list this year, having missed time from April 2-21 due to a strained left biceps. Through five starts this season, he holds a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA, recording 31 strikeouts against six walks across 24 innings pitched.
The veteran pitcher earned All-Star recognition with Chicago in 2025 and carries a career record of 62-78 with a 4.61 ERA spanning 218 appearances (204 starts) across multiple teams including Toronto (2015), Detroit (2015-21, 2023), Seattle (2022), Cleveland (2024), and the Cubs.
To fill Boyd’s roster spot, Chicago promoted right-handed reliever Trent Thornton from Triple-A Iowa. The team also released left-hander Charlie Barnes to create space on the 40-man roster for Thornton, while sending right-hander Yacksel Rios outright to Iowa.
Thornton, 32, has posted a 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings in four appearances (including one start) with Iowa this season. His major league career spans seven seasons with Toronto (2019-23) and Seattle (2023-25), compiling a 14-19 record with a 4.38 ERA.
Boyd’s injury adds to Chicago’s pitching concerns, as starters Justin Steele (left elbow) and Cade Horton (right elbow) are already sidelined on the injured list.
