MESA, Ariz. — Left-hander Matthew Boyd will get his first opening-day start for the Chicago Cubs.

Manager Craig Counsell announced Thursday that Boyd will take the mound March 26 against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field.

It will be the 35-year-old Boyd’s third career opening-day start after receiving the honor with the Detroit Tigers in 2020 and 2021. The environment will be much different this time, however. He pitched in an empty stadium for the COVID-delayed 2020 opener and in front of a crowd reduced to 20% capacity at Comerica Park for the start of the ’21 season.

“Man, it’s an honor,” Boyd said. “I’m so grateful to be the guy who gets the ball on that day. Obviously it’s a game just like the rest of the other 162, but I’m super grateful.

“Opening day, it is really something that is truly special. I understand how much it means to Chicago fans and how much it means to my own family.”

Boyd had known for about a week he would start the opener. The Cubs wanted to make sure the World Baseball Classic didn’t affect his preparation for the beginning of the season, and once it became clear there likely wouldn’t be sufficient innings available after pool play, the decision was made to return to camp so Boyd can continue building up for the season.

Boyd threw a bullpen session Thursday and is in line to start Sunday’s Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“We’re in good shape with that,” Counsell said. “He’ll have a very normal spring and be able to pitch on normal days. … It lines up really well.

“You earn these things, and Matthew has earned this with how he’s pitched last year and since coming back from an injury. He had a great season last year, was a very important player for us.”

Boyd is coming off the first All-Star performance in his 11-year career. He posted a 3.21 ERA in 31 starts, and his 179 2/3 innings were his most since 2019, when he delivered a career-high 185 1/3 for the Tigers.

“I’m thankful that I don’t write the script because I probably wouldn’t write it this way,” Boyd said, “but I wouldn’t change a thing, the ups and downs of it.”

Boyd appeared in only one WBC game for Team USA, pitching out of the bullpen in Monday’s 5-3 win over Mexico. He allowed three runs on five hits, including two homers, with three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings (56 pitches).

The U.S. had to wait for the outcome of Wednesday’s Italy-Mexico game to determine whether they would advance to the quarterfinals. Boyd said the team wished it had taken care of business not to leave its fate up to another team but felt grateful to advance to the knockout rounds.

“You imagine what it’s like to put on that uni,” Boyd said. “You imagine what it’s like to share a clubhouse with those guys, to hear ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and to be in unison with all the guys knowing that that’s our country’s anthem and we’re the best in our country doing this right now.

“But then you get to experience it. That’s one of the highest honors in sports to represent your country.”