Matthew Boyd earns Opening Day start, 5 years and multiple injuries after his last one

MESA, Ariz. — Early Thursday morning, sitting by Matthew Boyd’s locker at the Chicago Cubs spring training complex was a half-unpacked Team USA duffel bag. Even though his squad had advanced to the elimination round at the World Baseball Classic, Boyd had returned to Arizona.

But it wasn’t bad news for Boyd or the Cubs. With uncertainty regarding when he’d pitch again and for how long, Boyd needed to stay on schedule. It was important. Because the 2025 All-Star had officially been tabbed as the Cubs’ Opening Day starter.

“I think you earn these things, and I think Matthew has earned this with how he pitched last year and since coming back from an injury,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He had a great season last year. He’s a very important player for us. We’re excited to get him the ball on Opening Day.”

Boyd started Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers in 2020 and again in 2021. There were no fans in the stands during that odd summer of 2020. By his 2021 outing, it was just 50% capacity in Detroit. That was also the season when injuries started to dog the lefty. It eventually led to Tommy John surgery in 2023.

Boyd showed flashes of his best self upon his return to the mound with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024, including three postseason starts, allowing just one run in his 11⅔ innings. The Cubs liked what they saw and jumped at the opportunity to bring Boyd aboard the following offseason. Their internal projections loved him, believing they could get tremendous value. A year into the deal, Boyd has proved them right.

Counsell used the words “humble” and “grateful” to describe Boyd’s reaction to the news. The manager and Boyd had been discussing the likelihood of Boyd getting the first start of the season before he left for the WBC.

Boyd had similar emotions regarding his time with Team USA. He was honored to be chosen and had nothing but good things to say about his experience. But getting back to ensure he’d be ready to start the season was also tremendously important to him. His return allows him to make the requisite outings with the Cubs and build up properly for Opening Day.

“You don’t know if the opportunity is ever going to present itself again,” Boyd said. “So it’s an honor. I mean, 162 games is a long season. It’s really cool to be out there to start it out.”

Last spring, when talking to Boyd, one wouldn’t sense he was a pitcher who had been waylaid by injuries over the previous four seasons. He strongly believed good things were ahead.

“If I don’t believe it, who else will?” Boyd said. “I knew my best was ahead of me. What I didn’t know is if I’d get the opportunity to show it. So I just knew that when the opportunity came, I’d ask myself the question, ‘If it does come, what are you gonna do?’”

What Boyd did was deliver a 3.21 ERA in 179⅔ innings, earning himself a spot on the All-Star team and a chance to play for Team USA at the WBC this spring. Now he gets to start Opening Day at Wrigley Field. He’s truly living the best version of his baseball life.

“(Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy) talks about the experiences that you get to have in this game,” Boyd said. “They’re shared not only by the guys that you go to battle with but shared by the fans, too. And those are the things that really make each thing unique each day, each Opening Day, each game. They make it special, and they all have a story of their own.”

Boyd, as he often does, was quick to praise everyone around him. He understands he’s in a rotation with multiple starters who could’ve staked a claim to this start. Cade Horton had a brilliant 2025 debut. Edward Cabrera was the prized trade acquisition of the winter. Shota Imanaga is a year removed from the honor and is looking to return to his 2024 form.

Each of those pitchers, along with Jameson Taillon and the rehabbing Justin Steele, is incredibly important to the Cubs. Especially if they plan on topping last fall’s run to the National League Division Series this October. But it all starts with Boyd on the mound against the Washington Nationals on March 26.

“Opening Day is special,” Boyd said, “but Opening Day at Wrigley is really something that is truly special. And I understand how much it means to Chicago fans.”

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