Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd injures his left knee while sitting down with his kids at home

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd is going to have surgery after he injured his left knee while hanging out with his kids on Wednesday.

Boyd had an MRI that showed a meniscus issue, and manager Craig Counsell said the team isn't sure how long the left-hander is going to be out.

“Obviously it's unexpected news," Counsell said. “We're going to have to fill in around him, for sure. That's going to be our task.”

Boyd was placed on the 15-day injured list before Chicago's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Right-hander Trent Thornton was brought up from Triple-A Iowa, and left-hander Charlie Barnes was designated for assignment.

The 35-year-old Boyd, who started for the Cubs on opening day, is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA. He was activated from the 15-day IL on April 22 after being sidelined by a biceps strain.

Counsell said Boyd got hurt when he sat down with his kids and got back up.

“It happened very innocently, and he woke up this morning a healthy player. ... So he’s just trying to kind of process it,” Counsell said, “and get all the information from the doctors and figure out what’s next.”

The loss of Boyd is a major blow for NL Central-leading Chicago, which had won seven in a row and 17 of 20 overall going into the matchup with Cincinnati.

The Cubs were already playing without right-hander Cade Horton, who is out for the season because of elbow surgery. Justin Steele is expected to return at some point this year, but his timeline is cloudy after he had a setback in his recovery from an elbow injury.

Boyd agreed to a $29 million, two-year contract with Chicago in December 2024. He went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 31 starts last year, making the NL All-Star team and helping the Cubs reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

With Boyd out, Javier Assad could move into the rotation at some point. But Counsell said he wasn't sure how the Cubs would cover Boyd's next scheduled start.

“That spot comes up Friday,” Counsell said. “We’re probably not going to make plans for it and just kind of figure out where, when we get to, after Thursday, kind of what we do. I mean, there will be plans, but very loose plans.”

The Cubs could get some help for their bullpen this month. Relievers Caleb Thielbar and Hunter Harvey are both expected to throw a full bullpen session on Friday, Counsell said. Thielbar is on the IL with a left hamstring strain, and Harvey is coming back from right triceps inflammation.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Michael Boyd (16) returns to the dugout after a pitching change during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) removes starting pitcher Michael Boyd (16) as he makes a pitching change during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd works against a San Diego Padres batter during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, April 27, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, May 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Luka Doncic said Wednesday he was given platelet-rich plasma injections in Spain as the Los Angeles Lakers star tries to speed up his eight-week timeline for returning from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since early April.

“I went to Spain to do PRP,” the NBA scoring champion told reporters as the Lakers prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. “Everybody knows that it's one of the best countries to do that. Obviously, you know, we talked with the Lakers doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there.”

Each injection required four days of rest in between, resulting in an extended stay in Spain, he said.

“I know and trust lots of people in Spain that I used to work with before,” he said. “I needed four days in between every shot. I did it four times, so that’s why I stayed longer.”

Doncic was injured during the third quarter of a loss to Oklahoma City. on April 2. The Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs, with 41-year-old LeBron James taking up much of the scoring slack.

The Lakers lost to the top-seeded Thunder 108-90 in Game 1 on Tuesday. If Doncic can't speed up his recovery timeline, he would miss the entire series and part of the conference finals, should the Lakers advance.

Doncic said he’s been running but has yet to reintroduce contact. He said it has been hard to watch his team while knowing he can't participate.

“It's very frustrating. I don't think people understand how frustrating it is,” he said. “All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time. It's the best time to play basketball. It's very frustrating to see what my team is doing. I'm very proud of them, but it's been very tough to watch.”

The six-time All-Star also understands that coming back too soon would put him at risk.

“It's a tough one for me. I've come back from injuries too soon before, and it wasn't the best result,” he said. “This is the first time I have a hamstring injury. It's not the same like other injuries. You have to be very careful. I'm doing everything to come back.”

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Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic reacts from the bench after the Lakers were called for a foul during the second half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)