With injuries behind him, Boyd embracing normal Spring Training

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Matthew Boyd discussed working with Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya after the lefty¡¯s spring debut against the Padres on Monday afternoon. Boyd talked about pitch sequencing and fine-tuning a few things in the coming days. It was a normal post-outing conversation.

The fact that Boyd was able to rattle off some of those typical Spring Training topics was a refreshing change for the veteran. The discussion was not about rehabbing or injuries. It was not centered around a comeback trail. Boyd has been answering those types of questions for the past few years.

¡°It¡¯s a lot different,¡± Boyd said after his part in Monday¡¯s 10-5 win over the Padres. ¡°Really, I¡¯m grateful to be here right now and to be working in games, working through situations and whatnot. I¡¯m excited to have a healthy year ahead of me, and come into Spring Training to prepare [myself] for the season.¡±

In his two-inning start to begin his preseason workload, the 34-year-old Boyd struck out two and stranded the four baserunners he faced (two walks and two singles). The left-hander built up to 41 pitches, showing off the five in his arsenal (four-seamer, changeup, slider, curve and sinker). He generated five whiffs, including four via his changeup.

According to Statcast, Boyd¡¯s fastball sat at 92.3 mph on average, which was in line with where it sat last season (92.0 mph) with the Guardians. That is evidence to support the left-hander indicating that he is feeling strong, following his feel-good comeback campaign with Cleveland last year after Tommy John surgery in ¡®23.

Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said what Boyd did last season with the Guardians was ¡°pretty impressive,¡± given that the second year after TJ surgery is often the most challenging. After rehabbing on his own, Boyd was signed by Cleveland in June, returned in August, spun a 2.72 ERA in eight games down the stretch and then added three more strong postseason starts.

¡°Then you have a complete offseason,¡± Hottovy said. ¡°You actually can let your body kind of calm down and heal. So I think right now he¡¯s in a really good place. Now the key is that he feels good and not falling back into the rehab mode where, ¡®I need to do X, Y, Z to feel good.¡¯ He feels good, and now it¡¯s, ¡®What do I need to do to be ready for Opening Day?¡¯¡±

The Cubs pored through Boyd¡¯s performance last year -- one that began with his Aug. 13 gem against the North Siders -- and felt confident enough to hand him a two-year contract. The lefty was signed for $29 million guaranteed to join Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon atop the rotation.

Boyd will be counted on to log a normal starter¡¯s volume, but the Cubs also have to be cognizant of his recent history. Over the past four seasons combined, the lefty has averaged 51 innings per year (topping out at 78 2/3 in 2021 prior to flexor tendon surgery that September).

¡°Look, we have to monitor his health,¡± Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. ¡°I think just with the number of innings he¡¯s pitched, that kind of goes to the top of the list. I don¡¯t want to get too sensitive about it, because I think we want him to pitch.

¡°And one of the reasons we were interested is we thought he was kind of set up to really have this great full season.¡±

Another reason the Cubs were intrigued by Boyd was his reputation as a great presence behind the scenes.

¡°He¡¯s got that great perspective on just real joy for each day,¡± Counsell said.

Boyd appreciated hearing that last comment by Counsell.

¡°I¡¯m just grateful to be here, you know?¡± Boyd said. ¡°You go back a calendar year, I wasn¡¯t on a team. I didn¡¯t have the chance to get a big league job. But there was gratitude in getting to be home, as weird as that sounds. I got to coach my kids [in Little League]. A lot of guys don¡¯t get that opportunity in the season. Hopefully I don¡¯t have that opportunity for about six more years-plus.

¡°But there¡¯s a blessing in every moment, right? Whatever way you look at it. I wouldn¡¯t wish the last few years on anybody, but those were a blessing to me, too. I get to put on this Cubs uniform, all the history that comes with it. I get to go play at Wrigley Field. That¡¯s something that I don¡¯t take lightly. I¡¯m super thankful for it.¡±