Cubs Delay Matthew Boyd’s Return After Shoulder Soreness

Overview

• The Cubs removed Boyd from consideration for a weekend start after he developed shoulder soreness while warming up for a bullpen session and did not recover fully through the workout.
• Boyd was returning from a meniscectomy with two Triple-A rehab starts completed and he said he maintained normal velocity during the bullpen despite the soreness.
• Manager Craig Counsell said the team will back off Boyd for a few days as a precaution and hopes the issue is minor so Boyd can resume mound work quickly.
• Right-hander Javier Assad is the likely replacement to take the start Boyd had been scheduled to make against the Giants.
• The delay adds short-term pressure on a rotation already coping with multiple injured or shut-down starters and poor recent results, so the Cubs will be watching Boyd’s next mound throws and overall bullpen depth closely.