After a sluggish 4-6 start to the MLB season, the Chicago Cubs entered Tuesday night’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays (5-5) looking to turn things around. Instead, the situation only worsened.
Prior to the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that potential future ace Cade Horton, who exited his start last Friday in the second inning with forearm discomfort, will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing elbow surgery.
It’s a massive blow to the Cubs’ pitching staff and their World Series hopes, especially as they entered the season as one of the favorites coming out of the National League.
Horton managed just 7.1 innings this season, allowing four hits and two runs for a 2.46 ERA. Still, he appeared poised for a breakout following an impressive 2025 campaign.
Last season, Horton went 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across 118.0 innings in 23 appearances. He struck out 97 batters while walking 33, posting a 2.9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The Cubs are now dealing with a brutal stretch of injuries. Justin Steele was placed on the injured list on March 25, and on Monday, starting pitcher Matthew Boyd landed on the 15-day IL with a biceps strain.
With Horton now out for the season and Boyd sidelined, Chicago’s rotation is already depleted less than two weeks into the year.
In their absence, the Cubs will likely lean heavily on Javier Assad, Shota Imanaga, offseason addition Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, and possibly Ben Brown, who has starting experience but has primarily been used out of the bullpen.
They could also explore the open market, with several notable names still available, including Lucas Giolito, who has been linked to the Cubs, as well as pitchers like Frankie Montas.