Where Cubs rotation stands after new addition | Chicago Cubs News

The Cubs reportedly added a new arm to the pitching staff in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Matthew Boyd is an interesting new arm in the mix, as the veteran has teased tantalizing potential throughout his career but the results have not always lined up and injuries have been a problem.

So where does Boyd fit in on the Cubs’ staff?

Here’s how the starting rotation looks right now:

Shota Imanaga
Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Matthew Boyd
Javier Assad

The Cubs also have a variety of depth options available in the organization, including Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, Hayden Wesneski, Cade Horton and Caleb Kilian.

All of those pitchers besides Kilian have minor-league options remaining and could serve as depth in Triple-A in case of injury or ineffectiveness.

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Horton is not yet on the 40-man roster but is expected to be a part of the big-league pitching picture at some point in 2025.

With nearly $30 million reportedly committed to Boyd, he is effectively guaranteed a rotation spot — alongside Imanaga (an All-Star in 2024), Steele (an All-Star in 2023) and Taillon.

The Cubs front office and coaching staff have already acknowledged Assad has earned a rotation spot of his own after another solid season as a starter (3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 29 starts).

That all doesn’t necessarily mean the Cubs are done adding to their rotation, however.

They have seen injuries to the pitching staff over the last several seasons, including Taillon, Steele and Assad all missing time in 2024 with IL stints.

Jed Hoyer and Co. know the Cubs will need plenty of rotation depth to get through the season and right now, the pitching staff is the most logical path to upgrading this team with a lineup that is mostly set in stone.

[WATCH: State of the Cubs: Rotation]

Boyd is likely an upgrade on his own, though there are some question marks and it is a bit of a gamble on the Cubs’ end.

The southpaw turns 34 in February and carries a career 4.85 ERA. He is also only a year-and-a-half removed from Tommy John surgery in June of 2023.

Boyd was stellar with the Guardians after recovering from his elbow injury, posting a 2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings. He also had a 0.77 ERA in 3 postseason starts.

His best full season was in 2019 with Detroit when he put up 3.8 WAR with a 4.56 ERA and 238 strikeouts in 185.1 innings.

The Cubs believe they can tap into that potential over the next 2 years.

For more on the Boyd signing, tune in to Cubs 360 on Marquee Sports Network Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m.