Cubs BCB After Dark: Who leaves the rotation?

June 23, 2026 - 02:37

The Chicago Cubs are facing a pleasant but difficult problem. With left-hander Matthew Boyd nearing a return from his rehab assignment, the starting rotation is about to have one too many bodies. Someone has to go, either to the bullpen or down to Triple-A Iowa, and the decision is not an easy one.

Boyd was signed last offseason to add a veteran presence, but his recovery from Tommy John surgery has kept him out all year. Now he is ready, and the Cubs have to clear a spot. The current five have been mostly effective. Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele are locks. Jameson Taillon has been the team's most consistent starter. Javier Assad has been solid, though his strikeout numbers are down. Kyle Hendricks has struggled mightily, with a sky-high ERA, but his track record and contract make a demotion complicated.

The most likely candidate to move is Hayden Wesneski, who has been pitching in a swing role. He has the stuff to work in relief, and the Cubs could use a multi-inning arm in the bullpen. But Wesneski has also shown flashes as a starter. Sending him to Iowa would keep him stretched out, but it would also risk losing him on waivers. The other option is to option Assad, who has minor league options left, but that would be a tough sell given his performance.

The Cubs have to weigh short-term wins against long-term development. Boyd is not a sure thing after his injury. Whatever they decide, the clock is ticking. The rotation crunch is coming, and someone will be the odd man out.