Cubs name Matthew Boyd Opening Day starter as he returns from Team USA

MESA, Ariz. — Left-hander Matthew Boyd crossed the agility field at the Cubs’ spring training complex and was stopped by right-hander Cade Horton, who offered a fist bump and congratulations. Southpaw Justin Steele joined them, clasping hands with Boyd and patting him on the back.

Back from World Baseball Classic pool play with Team USA, Boyd had just been officially named the Cubs’ Opening Day starter.

“Opening Day at Wrigley is something that is truly special,” Boyd said Thursday. “I understand how much it means to Chicago fans and how much it means to my own family. So there's no other word except that I'm truly grateful.”

March 26 against the Nationals at Wrigley Field will be the third opening-day start of Boyd’s career but the first in front of a full house. His other two with the Tigers were in 2020, when fans weren’t allowed in stadiums due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2021, when Comerica Park allowed 20% capacity for Opening Day.

Boyd left Team USA to continue to stretch out in game action as he prepared for the regular season, a task that would have been difficult within the WBC schedule. In pool play, Boyd pitched in bulk out of the bullpen behind Pirates starter Paul Skenes.

Boyd allowed three runs, two on solo shots by Jarren Duran, in 2⅓ innings against Team Mexico on Monday.

“There's always something to be gleaned, whether it's in Sloan Park, or Daikin Park in March,” Boyd said. “And that's a situation that will prepare me for the season because it's very similar to the season in terms of the pressure and the fans and everything that came with that and being in that part of the game.”

This story will be updated.