Cubs hit with crippling surprise Matthew Boyd injury news (with bizarre origin story)

Even when things are going right for the Chicago Cubs, they can't escape the series of crippling injuries that have decimated the team's pitching staff. Craig Counsell revealed that starting pitcher Matthew Boyd is set for surgery to repair a left meniscus injury.

There are generally two kinds of surgeries to address a meniscus injury. A meniscus trim would likely have Boyd back in the rotation by the end of July. A meniscus repair would sideline Boyd for the remainder of the season. It would seem likely that the Cubs will confirm what kind of surgery was done after the operation has been completed.

Matthew Boyd's injury cripples the Cubs' pitching depth

Boyd's injury is the latest Cubbie Occurence. No, it wasn't anything he was doing on the field that caused the injury. Instead, he was sitting down to play with his kids.

The Cubs are suddenly living in a reality where Boyd is out indefinitely, while Cade Horton will be sidelined through most of the 2027 season, and Justin Steele's return was pushed back to the end of July.

Javier Assad seems certain to be moved back into the starting rotation while the Cubs sift through next steps. Assad replaced Boyd in the rotation earlier this season when the veteran starting pitcher suffered a bicep strain.

Even before Boyd's injury, the expectation was that the Cubs would be in the market for a top-of-the-rotation pitcher at the deadline. Between Steele's return being delayed and Horton needing UCL injury, addressing the rotation at the deadline felt like a foregone conclusion for Jed Hoyer and Co.

Before then, it's been clear that the Cubs have been looking for external pitching depth. The search will certainly intensify in the weeks ahead, but it does make one wonder if the Cubs should have approached their interest in Lucas Giolito with more intent.

Among the reasons why the Cubs likely weren't eager to top what the Padres offered Giolito is that his decision arrived around the time that Boyd was making his return from his previous injury, and Steele's setback had yet to be revealed.

The "in case of an emergency, break glass" option for the Cubs may be moving Ben Brown back to the rotation. Yes, Brown has thrived as a high-leverage relief pitcher this season, but the situation may be dire enough that they alter his original plan for the 2026 season.

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