Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd nearing return from strained left biceps

PHILADELPHIA — Cubs Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd is getting closer to a return from a strained left biceps.The Cubs put Boyd on the 15-day injured list April 6 (retroactive to April 3) but didn’t seem too concerned about his injury. Boyd said that it was taking him longer to bounce back from starts and that he was dealing with soreness in the biceps. He said that if it hadn’t been early in the season, he likely would have pitched through it.Manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Boyd threw a bullpen session Sunday and that ‘‘everything went great.’’ He will go to Triple-A Iowa for a rehab start and is lined up to return next week at home against the Phillies.The Cubs need Boyd at his best as they navigate this season without promising right-hander Cade Horton, who is going to miss the rest of 2026 after having surgery on his pitching elbow.Boyd’s last start was a 10-strikeout masterpiece against the Angels. His ascent into an All-Star pitcher last season was one of the driving forces behind the Cubs making the playoffs.Bullpen puzzleFiguring out the bullpen is a constant challenge for Counsell and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. Bullpens are fickle and change from season to season. Only Daniel Palencia and Caleb Thielbar returned from the bullpen that ended last season.The constant flux has become normal for the Cubs, but they already have hit a couple of roadblocks with their relievers after injuries to Phil Maton (tendinitis in right…

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