Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Matthew Boyd is set to undergo surgery on his left knee due to a meniscus tear, as announced by manager Craig Counsell on Wednesday. The injury occurred in an unusual manner while Boyd was sitting down to play with his children, Counsell explained.
This incident places Boyd among the ranks of athletes who have experienced bizarre injuries. It reminds one of Francisco Liriano breaking his arm while attempting to scare his children during Christmas, or Jeremy Affeldt cutting his hand while separating frozen hamburger patties at a barbecue. Then there’s the memorable Sammy Sosa sneeze incident and Glenallen Hill’s mishap involving a spider.
On the field, Boyd’s absence presents a challenge for the Cubs’ pitching depth. Although Boyd hasn’t been performing well, with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 24 innings, there was an expectation of improvement. His unavailability now further strains the Cubs’ roster.
It’s important to note that Cade Horton is sidelined for the season and Justin Steele has encountered complications in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The Cubs started the year with eight potential starters, but until Boyd or possibly Steele makes a return, they are down to just five.
This means the Cubs’ rotation now faces a tight situation, relying heavily on Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, Colin Rea, and Javier Assad. Ben Brown remains crucial in the bullpen, and their top minor-league prospect, Jaxon Wiggins, is currently injured.
Despite these setbacks, the Cubs have managed to stay competitive. They rank ninth in the major leagues with a 3.90 ERA from their rotation and were just shy of the league’s best record at 24-12 as of Wednesday. This marks the second-best start in Cubs history, only surpassed by the 2016 World Series-winning team. They currently hold a 2.5-game lead in the NL Central.
