PEORIA, Ariz. – Spring training looked a lot different last year for left-hander Matt Boyd, who made his Cubs Cactus League debut on Monday.
“This time last year, I was getting ready for the Little League season and doing my rehab at home,” he said. “I’m grateful to be here right now and to be working in games and working through situations – excited to have a healthy year ahead of me.”
Boyd, coming off his first season post-Tommy John surgery, threw two scoreless innings Monday against the Padres. He limited San Diego to two hits, with two walks and two strikeouts.
“I wouldn’t have wished the last few years on anybody,” he said of a series of injury-riddled seasons. “But those were a blessing to me, too. So I get to put on this Cubs uniform, all the history that comes with it. I get to go play at Wrigley Field; that’s something that I don’t take lightly. I’m super thankful for, I’m super excited for, that opportunity.
“And we get to be in a clubhouse with just amazing talent, and some amazing people. So a lot of things to be grateful for. It’s an awesome blank canvas ahead of us for this team. And it’s exciting to know that it’s going to be what we make of it, not what anybody else says.”
After signing a two-year deal worth $29 million with the Cubs this offseason, Boyd is set to be a regular rotation member. But with Boyd’s injury history in mind, the Cubs will adjust their workload expectations as needed through the season.
“I don’t want to get too sensitive about it,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Because we want him to pitch, and one of the reasons we were interested, is we thought he was set up to really have this great full season. But we’ve just got to watch those cues.”
Boyd worked with catcher Miguel Amaya on Monday. They talked in between innings, and once in a while mid-at-bat, the veteran left-hander gave input on sequencing through PitchCom.
Boyd described the 25-year-old Amaya as “wise beyond his years.” Boyd said his slider was flatter than he wanted it Monday, and Amaya gave him feedback like: “Great location. Shape was a little different.”
Boyd beamed as he described the back-and-forth. It’s a normal part of spring trainer for new battery mates. For Boyd, normal was refreshing.
“You go back a calendar year, I wasn’t on a team, I didn’t have a chance to get a big league job.” he said. “But there was gratitude in getting to be home, as weird as that sounds. I got to coach my kids; a lot of guys don’t get that opportunity in the season.
“Hopefully I don’t have that opportunity for about six-plus more years.”
Turner makes Cubs spring debut
First baseman Justin Turner, who the Cubs signed last week, made his Cactus League debut with his new team on Monday. He went 2-for-2 and drew a walk.
His first day in camp was Thursday, and he was taking live batting practice by the next day.
Cubs 10, Padres 5
The undefeated Cubs extended their Cactus League winning streak to five games on Monday. They reclaimed the advantage with a five-run sixth inning and held on to the lead the rest of the way.
- Catcher Miguel Amaya led the Cubs with three hits. He has a 2.358 OPS this spring.
- Reliever Ben Keller again dazzled with his increase in velocity, tossing two hitless innings. He topped out at 97.2 mph. His average four-seam fastball velocity last season was 93.8 mph.
- On deck: Diamondbacks at Cubs, 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, Mesa, Marquee, A.J. Puck vs. Jameson Taillon.