Cubs Lose All-Star Starter Matthew Boyd to Injured List

Biceps strain sidelines Boyd, joining fellow starter Cade Horton on the IL

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with sharp, overlapping planes in muted tones of navy, forest green, and ochre, capturing the disruption and uncertainty caused by the Cubs' starting pitcher injuries.The Cubs' rotation takes a hit as injuries sideline two key starters, disrupting the team's plans for the season.Chicago Today

The Chicago Cubs have placed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd on the 15-day injured list due to a biceps strain. Boyd, who made his first career All-Star team last season, joins fellow starter Cade Horton on the IL after Horton left his last start early with forearm discomfort.

Why it matters

The Cubs' rotation has taken a hit with the injuries to Boyd and Horton, who were both key contributors last season. Their absence will put more pressure on the rest of the pitching staff as the team looks to build on its success from 2025.

The details

Manager Craig Counsell said the Cubs are hoping to get Boyd back in time for a series against the New York Mets starting on April 17, though Horton's outlook is less clear as he undergoes further testing on his injured arm. Both Boyd and Horton struggled in their first starts of the season, with Boyd posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.179 WHIP.

  • Matthew Boyd was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • Cade Horton was placed on the injured list on Sunday, April 5, 2026 after leaving his previous start early.

The players

Matthew Boyd

A 35-year-old starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who made his first career All-Star team in 2025 after posting a 3.21 ERA and 1.091 WHIP with 154 strikeouts in 179 2/3 innings.

Cade Horton

A 24-year-old starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2025 after posting a 2.67 ERA and 1.085 WHIP with 97 strikeouts in 118 innings.

Craig Counsell

The manager of the Chicago Cubs.

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What they’re saying

“We think we can put this behind him and not have to worry about it, instead of worrying about [the biceps] start to start.”

— Craig Counsell, Cubs Manager

What’s next

The Cubs are hoping Matthew Boyd can return in time for a series against the New York Mets starting on April 17, while Cade Horton's status remains uncertain as he undergoes further testing on his injured arm.

The takeaway

The injuries to Boyd and Horton are a significant blow to the Cubs' rotation, putting more pressure on the rest of the pitching staff to step up as the team looks to build on its success from last season. The Cubs will need to manage these injuries carefully to ensure their top starters can return to full strength and contribute to the team's playoff push.