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The Cubs' ace won't return this month after getting hurt playing with his kids.

The Chicago Cubs received a measure of good news Thursday regarding injured starting pitcher Matthew Boyd. Surgery was deemed a success, but the road back will take some time. Boyd underwent a successful partial left knee meniscectomy, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. No official timetable has been set, though Rogers noted the recovery could be in the range of a month or so for the Chicago Cubs’ star.

Chicago Cubs’ Matthew Boyd Had Successful Surgery

The Cubs announced Wednesday that Boyd suffered a left meniscus injury while playing with his kids — one of the more unfortunate ways a pitcher can land on the injured list. It wasn’t Boyd’s first trip to the injured list this season.

Chicago Cubs’ general manager Carter Hawkins spoke to 104.3 The Score about the situation, offering a cautiously optimistic outlook. “I think there’s a really good chance that Matt is contributing in a meaningful level here relatively soon,” Hawkins said. “It’s not going to be this month.”

Matthew Boyd’s Success With the Cubs

The timing is particularly frustrating given how well Boyd pitched last season. In 2025, he won 14 games for the Cubs with a 3.21 ERA across 179.2 innings — the second-highest innings total of his career — while striking out 154 batters. It was the kind of season that cemented his role as a reliable mid-rotation arm in Chicago.

This season has been a different story. Boyd appeared in five games and posted a 6.00 ERA before the injury derailed his year entirely.

Cubs Rotation Injuries Have Piled Up

Boyd’s injury compounds an already difficult stretch for the Cubs’ pitching staff. Chicago also lost Cade Horton for the season just a couple of weeks ago, making it back-to-back significant rotation losses in a short window.

Despite the adversity, the Cubs have been nothing short of a powerhouse in 2026. They sit at 25-12 overall, 3.5 games ahead of the Cardinals in the National League Central, and have posted a dominant 17-5 record at Wrigley Field this season. The rotation has taken its lumps, but the wins keep coming.

The Cubs also designated reliever Corbin Martin for assignment on Thursday. The move came a day after Martin blew a save, per Rogers.

What’s Next for the Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have one more home game against the Reds at Wrigley Field on Thursday. They’ll hit the road for a three-game set against the Texas Rangers over the weekend. They’ll travel to battle the Braves and White Sox before returning home to face the Brewers on May 18.