The Chicago Cubs have hit another bump in the road as left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd underwent surgery Thursday to repair a partial meniscus tear in his left knee. The injury happened during what was supposed to be a simple, fun moment—playing with his children. It's a reminder that even the most everyday activities can sideline a professional athlete.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed the procedure and shared an optimistic recovery timeline, expecting Boyd to miss about six weeks. "It's kind of the minor meniscus surgery, so we know he's going to miss a month, six weeks," Counsell said before the Cubs' game against the Cincinnati Reds. "Probably closer to six weeks with getting it ramped back up. The important thing is how much time do we miss throwing. The knee is going to recover pretty quickly, but how much throwing down time do we have to take?"

Boyd, 35, suffered the injury on Wednesday and now joins a growing list of Cubs starters on the injured list, including Cade Horton (elbow, out for the season), Justin Steele (elbow, not expected back until the second half), and Jordan Wicks. With Boyd out, the Cubs are scrambling to fill his scheduled start on Friday against the Texas Rangers. Boyd currently holds a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA.

Counsell is weighing options for the rotation, with Javier Assad and Ben Brown as potential candidates. "We're just trying to think about the innings puzzle moving forward," Counsell explained. "And then you're also just trying to consider what's next. What do we do if something else happens? We just have to make sure we're covered. I don't think we have anybody completely stretched out as a starter right now. So that's what I'm talking about—the puzzle."

To bolster the bullpen, the Cubs recalled reliever Trent Thornton from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and made another swap Thursday, bringing up Gavin Hollowell while designating Corbin Martin for assignment. Martin allowed three runs in his brief appearance.

For Cubs fans, this is another test of the team's depth as they navigate a season already marked by injuries. As the roster reshuffles, the focus remains on keeping the pitching staff afloat until key arms return to the mound.