Cubs Provide Matthew Boyd Update as Jameson Taillon Heads to IL
The Chicago Cubs' rotation has been decimated by injuries this year. As the team placed another starter on the injured list on Monday, the Cubs finally had some good news about their Opening Day starter, Matthew Boyd.
On Tuesday, manager Craig Counsell told reporters that the veteran southpaw is expected to return to the Cubs and start this weekend. Boyd has been on the injured list since May 6, when he suffered a freak injury to his knee while playing with his kids at home. Boyd tore his left meniscus and immediately underwent surgery to repair the knee. After making three rehab starts at Triple-A Iowa, the team decided that Boyd was ready to return to the big league squad.
Craig Counsell said the Cubs will be without Jameson Taillon, whose hamstring strain the manager described as "moderate," until after the All-Star break.
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) June 9, 2026
Matthew Boyd will return from the IL and start during the Cubs' series against the Giants this weekend in San Francisco.
Boyd, 35, has had a frustrating start to the season. The meniscus tear was his second stint on the IL this year after missing three weeks in April with a left biceps strain. He's made just five starts this season, posting a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA and 1.292 WHIP. Boyd's stat line from his rehab assignment wasn't any more encouraging. In his three starts, Boyd had a 1-1 record with a 7.11 ERA and 1.421 WHIP. In his final game on Saturday, Boyd gave up three home runs and five earned runs in five innings of work.
That's it for Matthew Boyd in his rehab start with the @IowaCubs. Final line: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) June 6, 2026
Boyd threw 80 pitches including 56 for strikes. He also surrendered 3 home runs.
Boyd's return comes just as the Cubs placed Jameson Taillon on the IL with a hamstring strain. Counsell updated Taillon's status, stating that the starter would not return to the roster until after the MLB All-Star break. Taillon left Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the second inning.
Taillon joins Justin Steele (revision repair surgery of UCL, elbow discomfort) and Cade Horton (Tommy John surgery), who are both on the 60-day IL. Steele has been out since last season, and recently had a setback in his recovery that will also keep him out until after the All-Star break. Edward Cabrera recently returned to the Cubs' rotation after an IL stint due to a blister on his throwing hand.
Matthew Boyd gets him swinging! pic.twitter.com/FeGStWmB0x
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) May 31, 2026
Despite the slew of injuries, the Cubs remain in the NL Wild Card hunt. They are tied for third place in the NL Central division, but will have a tough time catching the Milwaukee Brewers in the top spot. The Cubs are, however, just a half-game back of the final NL Wild Card spot, and 2.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals, who currently occupy the top Wild Card position.
There is no doubt that with the talent they have on their roster, the Cubs are a playoff-calibre team. Cubs fans just need to hope that the playoffs are still within reach when their rotation is finally able to return to full health.
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 8:44 PM.