Matthew Boyd gets the ball at 7:10 PM ET for Chicago — activated off the 15-day IL specifically for this start after missing more than 7 weeks with knee and shoulder problems. His last big-league outing was May 3 against Arizona: 6 innings, 2 earned, 5 strikeouts. He walks straight into a series the Cubs have already commandeered. Freddy Peralta counters for New York, and after what he just did against Philadelphia, the Mets are hoping his short memory holds.
Boyd's return is the bigger storyline heading into Thursday. He was Chicago's Opening Day starter, and this Cubs rotation has been hit hard — Justin Steele is done for the season with an elbow injury, Jameson Taillon is out until after the All-Star break, and now Cabrera just landed on the IL Wednesday with a moderate hamstring strain. Boyd's availability matters beyond this single game. He dealt with two separate injury setbacks in 2026 (the knee surgery, then shoulder soreness during rehab), and Craig Counsell needs to see him hold up for more than a few innings before anyone relaxes.
The Cubs offense is not waiting to see how Boyd feels. Pete Crow-Armstrong is in the middle of one of the best stretches by a Cub in recent memory — hitting .410 with 11 home runs in his last 24 games, leading all position players in baseball with 4.8 WAR. Dansby Swanson set a Cubs franchise record Wednesday with 11 RBI across the doubleheader, surpassing Ron Santo's mark from 1970, and has 15 RBI total in the first 3 games of this series. That is a lineup operating at a different level than anything Peralta has seen lately. Peralta gave up a career-high 10 earned runs in 2.2 innings against Philadelphia on June 20, and has posted a 7.47 ERA over his last 6 starts. The $100 million Mets investment is drawing trade-deadline speculation by the day.
- Day-To-DayJaxon Wiggins SP — The Cubs announced Wednesday that Wiggins (elbow) has resumed throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters at the organization's complex in Arizona and could soon be ready to pitch in games, MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayBrandon Birdsell RP — Birdsell (elbow) will miss the entire 2026 season, Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports.
- 15-Day-ILEdward Cabrera SP — Cabrera was diagnosed with a moderate-grade left hamstring strain Wednesday following an MRI and is without a return timeline, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
- 15-Day-ILBen Brown RP — Brown returned to Chicago to have his neck strain examined by specialists, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILMatthew Boyd SP — Boyd (shoulder/knee) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's game against the Mets, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
- 15-Day-ILRiley Martin RP — The Cubs announced June 10 that Martin (elbow) has resumed playing catch, MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILDaniel Palencia RP — Palencia was diagnosed with a mild flexor strain in his right arm Saturday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILJameson Taillon SP — Taillon (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
- Day-To-DayJuan Soto LF — Soto (back) is out of the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Cubs.
- Day-To-DayChristian Arroyo 2B — The Mets re-signed Arroyo to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
- Day-To-DayRyan Lambert RP — Triple-A Syracuse placed Lambert on the 7-day injured list June 4 due to an unspecified injury.
- Day-To-DayMike Baumann RP — Baumann signed a minor-league deal with the Mets on Wednesday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.
- Day-To-DayBrandon Waddell RP — Waddell (shoulder) picked up the win after allowing three runs on four hits while striking out two across three innings during Saturday's game against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.
- Day-To-DayMike Tauchman RF — Tauchman (knee) is still rehabbing at the Mets' spring training complex and has yet to resume baseball activities, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
- Day-To-DayJoe Jacques RP — The Mets signed Jacques to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayKevin Herget RP — Herget signed a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training with the Mets on Thursday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Juan Soto's back is the other question hanging over this game. He sat out both ends of Wednesday's doubleheader and an IL stint hasn't been ruled out. Without Soto and with Luis Robert Jr. already on the 60-day IL, New York's lineup loses its most dangerous component. The Mets are 12 games under .500 — the conversation around this club has already shifted from contention to what pieces they move in July. Chicago came to New York with a purpose and executed in all 3 games. Boyd's durability is a real concern, but this Cubs offense has proven it can carry a shaky outing through sheer volume.