The Cubs Just Sent Their First Big Signal About October Rotation Plans

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 1:29 PM ET

The Cubs say Cade Horton feels good. Craig Counsell said it before the Cards series, the rookie played catch in the outfield, and a bullpen is next. Sounds great—until we actually see him on a mound letting it rip, “feels good” is just talk teams use when October is staring them down.

Horton left his last start with back tightness and got an MRI this week. Publicly, the club is optimistic; privately, the reality is day-to-day until he throws competitively again. The plan is to have him ready for the playoffs.

The bullpen session in the coming days will tell us if that’s real or just wishful thinking.

The stakes are obvious because the rookie season has been the real deal: 11–4, 2.67 ERA, 118.0 IP, 97 K, 1.08 WHIP. Those aren’t just “promising rookie” numbers—they’re award case numbers. Most books and trackers have the NL Rookie of the Year down to a two-man race between Horton and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin, with the lead flipping based on the week. Ballots lock when the regular season ends, so Horton can only wait now.

The bigger picture is October.

If Horton clears the bullpen session and comes out of next week feeling right, the Cubs can line him up in the Wild Card on extra rest. If he isn’t ready, Craig Counsell’s board shifts fast. Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon become the front-line options, with Javier Assad or Colin Rea available to cover innings depending on matchups.

That’s not panic, but it’s not ideal.

So yes, Horton “feels good.” That’s today. The story that matters is whether “feels good” turns into ready when it counts, because in October, all that counts are results.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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