Cubs’ biggest flop to begin 2026 MLB season

Many of the Cubs’ key hitters have gotten off to poor starts, including Matt Shaw, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch and Alex Bregman, all of whom are hitting .222 or less. However, the biggest problem is on the mound where ace pitcher Cade Horton has been lost for the season after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm and surgery will follow. Horton will not pitch again until the 2027 season.

This is clearly a painful development for both the pitcher and the team. Horton suffered the injury in Friday’s game at Cleveland against the Guardians. He threw just 17 pitches when felt discomfort in his elbow. He was sent back to Chicago on Saturday and the diagnosis was provided by physician Dr. Stephen Gryzlo on Monday, and confirmed on Tuesday.

Nobody will feel sorry for the Cubs, as team tries to absorb the blow. General manager Carter Hawkins explained what Horton will have to go through from a medical perspective. “He’s going to have surgery, we don’t have a date for that quite yet,” Hawkins said. “In terms exactly what the surgery will be, it’ll be on his elbow, it’ll be around his UCL. Whether it’s revision, reconstruction, internal brace, all those different things — once you get into the surgery, that’s when those decisions are made more often.”

In addition to the Horton injury, fellow starter Matthew Boyd was placed on the 15-day Injured List. He has a left biceps strain, and the injury is not considered major. The Cubs expect Boyd to return to the rotation when he comes off that list on or about April 18.

Hitters need to take over for Cubs

Injuries to two starting pitchers — even if one is considered minor — means the hitters have to step up. The Cubs are expecting quite a bit from Bregman after giving him a five-year, $175 million contract. He was in an 0-for-13 dip prior to Tuesday’s game against the Rays, and he broke out with 3 hits. Still, he is slashing .200/.280/.356 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI.

Bregman is supposed to be one of the team’s leaders and consistent production is needed. Crow-Armstrong is another mainstay in the lineup, but he has just 1 home run and 4 RBI. That home run came in the win over the Rays. The Cubs need him to be much more consistent in his production.

Veteran outfielder Ian Happ has 4 home runs and 7 RBI, but his consistency at the plate is not there. He is slashing .200/.289/.550. Still, that’s much better than Michael Busch, who has been unable to get going. He has not hit a home run and has just 2 RBI while slashing.154/.277/.205. Busch bashed 34 home runs and drove in 90 runs last season.

The lack of hitting continues with shortstop Dansby Swanson, who has not found his stroke year. He is hitting .162 with just 1 home run and 5 RBI.

Nico Hoerner has been respectable at the plate as he is slashing .297/.438/.432 with 7 RBI and 6 stolen bases. Hoerner also has 8 bases on balls and just 6 strikeouts.

Counsell needs to find a way to keep his team together

When a team loses its best starting pitcher less than two weeks into the season, it’s a major blow that could bury quite a few teams. Manager Craig Counsell has to find a way to keep the Cubs from getting down and developing a “what’s going to happen next” attitude.

These moments are on the manager and a leader like Bregman to encourage the team during the rough spot in the schedule. After the Cubs finish their three-game series in Tampa, they host the Pirates for three more over the weekend before going to Philadelphia for a series against the hard-hitting Phillies.

It’s possible to overcome a poor start, but after losing their No. 1 starter and their hitters in a deep slump, the Cubs have to turn things around quickly or they could fall into a deep hole.