Chicago Cubs: Counsell offers Matthew Boyd injury update

On Saturday, Cubs manager Craig Counsell offered a general update on where Boyd currently is on his recovery timeline.

“Everything is good,” Counsell told Marquee Sports Network. “We’re probably trending towards a bullpen early in the homestand. That’s the next step.”

The vague response doesn’t fill a Cubs fan’s heart with gushing optimism, but it also clearly doesn’t sound like anything close to doom and gloom.

With Jameson Taillon also on the IL and Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, and Colin Rea delivering inconsistent performances, Chicago desperately needs a steady veteran presence every fifth day. Boyd hasn’t been that so far this season, but he definitely has the ability to come through.

The importance of Boyd being Boyd

Last season, in the first year of a two-year contract, the oft-injured Boyd surprised with both his durability and his long-haul consistency. Over 31 starts and 179.2 innings, he posted a 14-8 record with a 3.21 ERA and earned a spot as the rotation’s ace. Prior to that year, he hadn’t pitched a full, healthy year since 2019.

Obviously, the Cubs would like to have Boyd back to 2025 form—something which would help the team if they make a strong postseason push or as attractive trade bait should they fall out of contention at the trade deadline.

Staring down a $15 million mutual option for 2027, there’s a good possibility that Boyd won’t be back with the Cubs next season (although a subpar, injury-hampered 2026 could actually push both sides to agree on that option). If the team feels that he’ll be a goner, they may try to get some prospect capital in return.

But, of course, all of this—whether as part of a Cubs playoff push or as a key trade asset—depends on Boyd’s ability to stay healthy the rest of this year. Given his history of injury and how this season is shaping up, that’s no gimme.