(670 The Score) As the Cubs have dealt with a series of serious injuries to their starting rotation, left-hander Matthew Boyd has stepped up in a big way.
Boyd has posted a 2.89 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 74 2/3 innings across 13 starts this season. He has consistently given the Cubs a chance to win when he starts, and he has also logged at least six innings in six of his past seven starts, giving the bullpen a little relief in the process.
On the Spiegel & Holmes Show on Tuesday afternoon, Cubs manager Craig Counsell sang the praises of Boyd.
“Matthew has been just solid, and maybe that’s even too light of a compliment,” Counsell said. “He’s been excellent. He’s been consistent, super effective. He’s been efficient in getting us deep into games, which is related to getting the bullpen successful, all of those things. It was a great job by our evaluative crew and Jed (Hoyer) to bring on a pitcher who’s really one of the better free-agent signings of the winter.”
The Cubs’ rotation has dealt with injury issues all season. Ace Shota Imanaga has been out since early May due to a hamstring strain. He made a short rehab start Monday in rookie ball in Arizona and is progressing well, but he still needs two more rehab starts before returning to the big leagues, Counsell said.
Left-hander Justin Steele made only four starts in 2025 before he underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Right-hander Javier Assad has also missed the entire season due to a left oblique strain. Had he been healthy, he was projected to be a reliable contributor at the back end of the Cubs’ rotation.