Cubs Pitching Struggles: Boyd, Horton Injured

0:00It's April 6th. Welcome to MLB News Today, powered by AI and ready for first pitch. Chicago Cubs hit with more bad news on the pitching front. Left-hander Matthew Boyd landed on the 15-day injured list with a left-by-cept strain retroactive to April 3rd. In his place, right-hander Javier Assad got called up from AAA Iowa and he's starting Tuesday. Boyd had a rough opening day, but bounced back strong in his next outing, tossing five and two-thirds innings with just two hits, one earned run, and ten strikeouts. As the top-returning starter, he was set to lead the rotation and maybe even ace it if he kept up last year's form. This injury piles on after Kate Horton left to start with a forearm issue and hit the aisle just days ago. Fans in the front office are stressing because the Cubs can't afford to lose key arms this early in the season. Now the pressure ramps up on trade pickup, Edward Cabrera, who's looked sharp so far.

1:00Though needs Shoda Imanaga and Jameson Talon to step up while waiting on Justin Steele's return, with guys like Assad and Colin Rea feeling rotation. Spots. President Jed Hoyer warned all off-season that you can never have enough pitching and these hits prove him right. The Cubs are holding their breath for quick recoveries to stay competitive through the shaky stretch.