The Chicago Cubs placed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left biceps strain, retroactive to April 3. The move comes three days after placing Cade Horton on the IL with a forearm strain. Javier Assad was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to start Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
ST. PETERSBURG -- Chicago Cubs Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd landed on the 15-day injured list with a left biceps strain, manager Craig Counsell announced Monday. The placement is retroactive to April 3. Boyd, 35, reported no pain during starts but felt he was not recovering as quickly as usual between outings. He last pitched Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings while striking out 10. A planned bullpen session was pushed back, but he felt better Sunday with no issues reported. No imaging is planned, and the team views it as a precautionary short break early in the season. Boyd stayed healthy in 2025, logging 179 2/3 innings in his first All-Star year. “Frankly, given a different time in the season, it’s something that I would just take the ball and keep going,” Boyd said. “[Boyd] thought he could pitch, but I think we also all agreed that it was best to be safe here. So, I expect this to be a minimum stint,” Counsell said. Right-hander Javier Assad was recalled from Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a 9.00 ERA over two starts this season. He returns after a 3.65 ERA in eight appearances for the Cubs last year. “It’s next man up, and Javy’s on turn and ready to go,” Counsell said. The injury adds to rotation woes, with Horton sidelined after exiting Friday's start against the Guardians with forearm tightness and Justin Steele still recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Cubs, 4-5 on the season, open a series against the Rays here Monday.
