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  "path": "/cubs/2026/06/22/cubs-matthew-boyd-injury-injured-list-next-start-rotation-craig-counsell-seiya-suzuki-knee-right-field-matt-shaw-pete-crow-armstrong-player-of-the-week",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-22T23:47:33.556Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>NEW YORK — The <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" target=\"_blank\" >Cubs</a> haven’t announced a probable starting pitcher for their game Thursday against the Mets.</p><p>Do the math, however, and you can pick out a strong candidate to take the hill.</p><p>Opening Day starter <b>Matthew Boyd </b>will make his return from the injured list soon, with manager <b>Craig Counsell </b>saying his next outing will come with the big-league team after he made a minor-league rehab start Saturday.</p><p>A start Thursday would put Boyd on regular rest after that outing, seemingly making him a good pick to fill that spot.</p><p>Boyd, an All Star last season, hasn’t pitched in a big-league game since May 3. A pair of stays on the IL — the second much longer than the first, as Boyd recovered from knee surgery — has limited him to only five starts this season.</p><p>He was supposed to return two weekends ago, only for unexpected shoulder soreness to force the Cubs to slow down his comeback.</p><p>But the rehab start Saturday and a successful bullpen session Monday have folks optimistic he’ll be back in short order.</p><p>It’s what happens from there that can get the Cubs thinking about what the rest of Boyd’s season looks like.</p><p>“After [the previous rehab start], recovering the right way was important, and that’s happened; that’s the most important thing,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘We’ve got to get Matt out there consistently. That’s when we’re going to get the truth with what’s going on.</p><p>‘‘He’s had a number of ailments. We’ve got to get him out there regularly, on a schedule. That’s what we haven’t been able to do, and that’s what he hasn’t been able to do.</p><p>‘‘In my eyes, until we get two [or] three times through with him, that’s when we get back into the routine of the season.’’</p><h3>Suzuki still at DH</h3><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/06/22/cubs-mets-rain-delay-rainout-weather-new-york-city-doubleheader-wednesday\" target=\"_blank\" >Before the game Monday against the Mets was rained out</a>, outfielder <b>Seiya Suzuki </b>remained as the Cubs’ designated hitter, where he had played since being removed from a game two weekends ago with discomfort in his right knee.</p><p>The Cubs had expressed hope that Suzuki would be back in right field by now, but Counsell said the recovery has taken longer than anticipated.</p><p>‘‘<b>Matt </b>[<b>Shaw</b>] was going to play [Monday], so I just thought, ‘Let’s give Seiya another day at DH,’ ’’ Counsell said before the game was washed away. ‘‘We’ll see tomorrow. It’s been a little slower than I would have liked.</p><p>‘‘Obviously, he’s been in there every day, so he’s feeling good enough to do that. But he’s been a little slower being confident running around and sliding in the outfield than initially expected.’’</p><p>In the five games Suzuki has played DH, Shaw has manned right field — with positive offensive results. He was 6-for-21 with a home run, two triples, seven RBI and six runs scored on the recent homestand.</p><h3>PCA is Player of the Week</h3><p>Once again, the red-hot bat of Cubs center fielder <b>Pete Crow-Armstrong </b>earned him national recognition.</p><p>Crow-Armstrong was named the National League Player of the Week, the second time that has happened in the last three weeks.</p><p>During the seven-day stretch, he went 11-for-20 with four homers, a triple, a double, seven RBI, five runs scored, four walks and a couple of stolen bases.</p><p>Those weekly honors very well might add up to a monthly one soon. Crow-Armstrong has a ridiculous .437/.481/.930 slash line in June and has at least one hit in all but one of the 17 games in which he has played this month.</p>",
  "title": "Matthew Boyd’s next start will come with Cubs as Opening Day starter nears return from injured list",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-23T00:35:48.277Z"
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