The Cubs keep winning ball games, but the cost of doing so keeps rising. The Cubs announced on Thursday that Matthew Boyd underwent a successful surgery to repair his left meniscus. The left hander reportedly suffered the injury while playing with his kids. This type of surgery typically comes with a six to eight week recovery period, but it's not always that simple.
Another blow to a thin rotation
Boyd joins Justin Steele and Cade Horton on the injured list. Whilst the Cubs may be relying on supplemental arms in the rotation, it hasn't slowed the progress this team has made. Boyd had made five starts in his short time on the active roster this season, collecting a 2-1 record and an ERA of 6.00. But Boyd's impact spanned more than just the numbers will tell you.
A knee injury can derail any athlete's progress, regardless of the details. This type of surgery is typically accompanied with plenty of swelling, and that could exacerbate Boyd's motion. Pitchers generate the force needed to throw the ball as hard as they do using their lower body. The rehab assignment alone is likely six to seven weeks away which means the earliest we'll see Boyd is mid to late June.
The Cubs are currently boasting one of the most explosive offenses in baseball, and the momentum is formidable. The contrast between a hurting pitching staff and a winning offense hasn't deferred any success that the Cubs have found this early in the season. Boyd is yet another steady arm removed from the equation, and if another injury or two happens, the Cubs will be desperate to speed up Boyd's recovery.
Though you wouldn't be able to see it from the outside due to all of the success surrounding the team, the Cubs are buying time right now. The Cubs have managed to survive injuries throughout the season already, but Boyd's absence becomes more significant the longer this recovery process stretches. Chicago's offense has covered for a lot of problems lately, though maintaining this pace over a full season becomes far more difficult if the rotation continues losing reliable arms.
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