Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd is facing an unexpected setback after undergoing left knee surgery that will sideline him for approximately six weeks. The injury, which manager Craig Counsell described as a "minor meniscus issue," occurred during a seemingly innocent moment—playing with his kids at home.

The Cubs placed Boyd on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, prompting a flurry of roster moves to fill the void. The team selected pitcher Trent Thornton from Triple-A Iowa and designated Charlie Barnes for assignment, then recalled Gavin Hollowell from Triple-A and designated Corbin Martin for assignment.

"We know he's going to miss a month or six weeks—probably closer to six weeks with getting him ramped back up," Counsell told reporters. "The knee will recover quickly, but the biggest question is how much throwing time we lose. That's the key."

Boyd, who earned his first All-Star selection last season with an impressive 14-8 record and 3.21 ERA over 31 starts, had a solid start to 2025 at 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA through five outings. His most recent performance was a bright spot—allowing just four hits and two runs over six innings in a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

The timing is tough for the Cubs, who currently sit atop the National League Central with a 25-12 record. They were counting on Boyd to take the mound again Friday, but now they'll need to adjust their rotation as they prepare for Thursday's 2:20 p.m. EDT matchup against the Cincinnati Reds at home.

For fans keeping an eye on their favorite players, this serves as a reminder that even the most routine moments can lead to game-changing injuries. Stay tuned as we track Boyd's recovery and the Cubs' next moves.