Chicago Cubs southpaw Matthew Boyd has started his recovery process after undergoing surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury that happened while he was playing with his children at home.
The Cubs added Boyd to their 15-day injured list Wednesday, and while the team hasn’t provided an exact timeline for his comeback, he’s expected to resume mound work in early June if no complications arise.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell described the injury as harmless but “kind of unexplainable.”
In a related roster move, the Cubs cut ties with Corbin Martin on Thursday following his blown save opportunity against Cincinnati on Wednesday. The team brought up towering right-handed reliever Gavin Hollowell from their Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. The 27-year-old Hollowell, who stands 6-foot-7, appeared in seven games for Chicago last year, giving up five earned runs across 9 1/3 innings while recording 10 strikeouts and seven walks.
The 35-year-old Boyd had already spent time on the injured list this season from April 2-21 due to a strained left biceps. Through five starts this year, he carries a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA, walking six batters and striking out 31 across 24 innings of work.
Boyd earned All-Star recognition with Chicago in 2025 and brings a career record of 62-78 with a 4.61 ERA across 218 major league appearances, including 204 starts. His career has taken him through Toronto (2015), Detroit (2015-21, 2023), Seattle (2022), Cleveland (2024), and now Chicago.
With Boyd’s absence expected to last at least a month, the Cubs now have three starting pitchers on the injured list. He joins Justin Steele, who’s dealing with a left elbow issue, and Cade Horton, who has a right elbow problem.
Martin, age 30, struggled in his final three appearances, giving up hits and runs while facing just 11 total batters. During that stretch, he allowed four hits, issued four walks, and surrendered two home runs. His season ERA sits at 10.80 through seven relief outings without recording a decision.
