Chicago Cubs put Matthew Boyd on the 15-day IL with a biceps strain and recall Javier Assad from Triple A
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Less than two weeks into the season, the Chicago Cubs’ starting pitching depth already is being tested.
The Cubs placed left-hander Matthew Boyd on the 15-day injured list with a biceps strain Monday before their series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. Right-hander Javier Assad was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and will start Tuesday in place of Boyd. The IL move is retroactive to Friday, making April 18 the earliest Boyd could rejoin the rotation.
Boyd and manager Craig Counsell described the injury as minor and expect the veteran to be sidelined for the minimum time. The issue didn’t bother Boyd during his two starts this season, but he was taking longer to bounce back afterward. He felt good throwing his bullpen Sunday and even better Monday, but the Cubs decided not to risk pushing through it this early in the season.
“Frankly, given a different time of the season, I’d take the ball and keep going,” Boyd said. “Just felt it was best to think long term on this and buy a little extra time and be ready for when I come off it. “I’m constantly aware of what I’m feeling, and when something was taking just a little bit longer — it’s not something that’s stagnant.
It’s been feeling better every day, especially when we pushed it (Sunday). ” There was a potential path to skipping Boyd’s start Tuesday and avoiding the IL. But Sunday’s unexpected doubleheader in Cleveland and a quick turnaround to Monday’s afternoon game against the Rays — combined with already losing multi-inning bullpen depth with Colin Rea expected to get a bulk of Wednesday’s innings in place of the injured Cade Horton — complicated that option.