Cubs expect Cabrera, Boyd to return soon from injured list

The Cubs returned home Tuesday, ready to celebrate the impending return of a couple starting pitchers.

Jordan Wicks was sent back to Iowa, which confirms the team expects Edward Cabrera to make his next start, which lines up Saturday against San Francisco.

Manager Craig Counsell said Cabrera threw in St. Louis on Sunday and everything went well. He went on the injured list May 24 due to a blister on his right middle finger, which caused him to leave his May 20 start against Milwaukee after 3 innings.

Meanwhile, Matthew Boyd is scheduled to make his second rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. If all goes well, he'll return to the big leagues. Boyd went on the injured list on May 6, getting arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus in his left knee. He gave up 3 runs in 4 innings pitched in his first rehab appearance Sunday.

“We've had significant losses in the rotation,” Counsell said before the Cubs faced the Athletics. “I mean, essentially you're down the 1, 2, and 4 (pitchers) at this point to start the season. So, yeah, we need healthy bodies back and absolutely some signs right now, everything is pointing to them returning in the near-term.”

Boyd started the season opener and Cabrera was the No. 4 starter, while Cade Horton is out for the year after having Tommy John surgery.

The Cubs were hopeful Wicks could find success after several strong outings in Triple-A. But he got hit early in both his starts while filling in for Cabrera, allowing 11 earned runs in just 6 ⅓ innings.

Right-hander Tyler Ferguson was called up Tuesday to occupy Wicks' roster spot. The Cubs got him on May 7 in a trade from the A's, where he was a regular in the bullpen the past two seasons. He posted a 3.52 ERA in six appearances at Iowa.