Injured Cubs Pitchers Cabrera and Boyd Nearing Returns After Mixed Results This Season

Edward Cabrera is expected to start for the Chicago Cubs this weekend, and Matthew Boyd is slated to make a second rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. If all goes well with that appearance, the plan is for Boyd to return to the Cubs at that point. Cabrera was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 24 because of a blister on his right middle finger.

00 ERA in 10 starts in his first season with Chicago after being acquired in a January trade with Miami. He threw a bullpen session on Sunday in St. Louis.

Boyd is coming back from left knee surgery. 00 ERA. He was activated from the 15-day IL on April 22 after being sidelined by a biceps strain.

"We need healthy bodies back and absolutely signs right now, everything is pointing to them returning in the near term," manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday. The Cubs recalled right-hander Tyler Ferguson from Triple-A Iowa before its series opener against the Athletics. Left-hander Jordan Wicks was sent down.

Wicks was tagged for 11 runs and 13 hits over 6 1/3 innings in two starts after he was brought up when Cabrera was shelved. The Cubs have been hampered by injuries this season, especially in the rotation. Right-hander Cade Horton is out for the season because of elbow surgery.

Justin Steele is expected to return at some point this year, but his timeline is cloudy after he had a setback in his recovery from an elbow injury. Boyd agreed to a $29 million, two-year contract with Chicago in December 2024. 21 ERA in 31 starts last year, making the NL All-Star team and helping the Cubs reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.