MESA, Ariz. — Left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd began his first spring training start knowing the World Baseball Classic (WBC) schedule was quickly approaching. His preparation closely mirrors the approach he took last year in Tokyo, allowing him to build confidence for the upcoming international tournament.
Boyd emphasized continuity in his pitching style, stating,
“I’m not going to be doing something, in terms of between the white lines, that’s different than what I’ve done before,”
after throwing 1⅔ innings in the Cubs’ 3-2 loss to the Rangers. His approach remains consistent with past routines to maintain effectiveness.
Collaboration Among Coaches Supports Boyd’s Role
Boyd commended the communication among Team USA manager Mark DeRosa, pitching coach Andy Pettitte, and his own Cubs manager Craig Counsell and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. The plan involves using Boyd mainly in a starter’s role but also includes piggyback pitching situations similar to those used during the Tokyo series.
During the second exhibition game in Japan last spring, Boyd entered as a reliever in a scripted scenario, following reliever Daniel Palencia who bridged the gap after starter Jameson Taillon. Despite this, Boyd followed his usual pregame routine, which contributed to his performance and subsequent career achievements.
Last Year’s Tokyo Experience Fueled Boyd’s Success
On March 16 during the Japan series, Boyd showed a marked increase in velocity. This boost helped him stay healthy throughout the 2025 season and earned him his first All-Star nomination. The timing of this year’s WBC, from March 6 to 17, is very similar to last year’s schedule, a fact Boyd cited as motivating for accepting the WBC invitation.
“That’s part of the reason why it was such an easy yes to go do the WBC stuff because it’s very similar to what we did,”
Boyd explained.
Performance Details from Spring Start Against Rangers
In the game against the Rangers, Boyd struck out two of the first three batters but allowed three singles in the opening inning. Despite the base runners, he maintained control and prevented any runs from scoring in that frame.
The second inning saw a similar pattern: two strikeouts, a double, and a single, but Boyd surrendered a run before transferring the pitching duties with two outs. Reflecting on his outing, he said,
“Pitched with some runners on base, had to work with a guy on second, had to start some guys off with off-speed and whatnot.”
Injury Concerns for Cubs First Baseman
First baseman Jonathon Long had to leave the game in the fourth inning due to a sprained left elbow. The injury occurred during a collision with Rangers’ Mark Canha on a ground ball play. Canha was running to beat out the grounder when the throw by shortstop Jefferson Rojas pulled Long into the basepath, leading to the collision.
Long lost the ball and immediately clutched his left arm before exiting the field with trainer Nick Frangella. As a non-roster invitee, Long was set to leave Cubs camp next week to join Chinese Taipei for the WBC, but this injury casts doubt on his availability. He will undergo further evaluation the following day.
Moises Ballesteros Faces Delays But Progresses Toward Readiness
Catchers’ prospects encountered complications as well. Moises Ballesteros dealt with visa issues and flight delays, delaying his arrival at Cubs camp by over a week. Manager Craig Counsell shared that Ballesteros had reached Houston, signaling progress in a difficult travel situation.
The catcher’s participation in spring training is not expected this week due to the delays and the need to build up conditioning, but Counsell remains confident the setback won’t impact his preparation for the season.
Looking Ahead to WBC and Season Implications
Matthew Boyd’s preparation, informed by the previous Tokyo series, places him in a strong position for success at this year’s World Baseball Classic. His consistent pitching style, backed by close collaboration among coaching staffs, should support his performance on the international stage.
Meanwhile, the Cubs will monitor Long’s injury and Ballesteros’ progress closely, as their availability will influence team depth during the WBC and the early part of the regular season. The lessons Boyd gained in Japan, combined with his demonstrated resilience, highlight his growing role as a reliable and versatile pitcher this spring and beyond.
