Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cubs dealt a significant blow with Cade Horton injury update

By Nate Miller | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 6:26 PM ET

Cade Horton had a tremendous rookie campaign for the Chicago Cubs in 2025. The young righty was a huge contributor to a 92-win season and a wild-card spot in the postseason, despite not making his MLB debut until May 10. The first-round pick from 2022 was nearly untouchable in the second half of last season, going 8-1 over a dozen starts with a microscopic 1.03 ERA and 0.78 WHIP across 61.1 innings.

The year ultimately culminated with Horton finishing second for NL Rookie of the Year honors, being edged out by Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin. The future seemed bright for Horton — and it should still be — but after the latest update regarding his injured right forearm, that future will have to wait.

Worst-case scenario for Cade Horton confirmed

Horton was lifted in the second inning of his most recent start last Friday afternoon against the Guardians. Anytime the label “forearm strain” is used regarding a pitcher’s throwing arm, the dreaded Tommy John surgery enters the mind.

Unfortunately for team and player, those fears were confirmed Tuesday afternoon, as Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports reported that Horton will undergo the season-ending procedure on his right UCL.

#Cubs Cade Horton will have surgery on his UCL and miss the rest of the season.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) April 7, 2026

This will not be the first Tommy John surgery for Horton, as he also endured the procedure and subsequent rehabilitation process during his one collegiate year at Oklahoma back in 2022. It is not yet known as of writing if Horton will require a full TJ surgery or an internal brace. The latter would entail a shorter rehab, but in any case, Horton will not return until sometime in 2027.

Cubs' pitching depth to be tested

Horton is not the only Cubs starter to hit the shelf recently, as 2025 All-Star Matthew Boyd landed on the 15-day IL on Monday due to a biceps strain in his pitching arm. The veteran lefty’s prognosis is better than Horton’s, but it still leaves the Cubs in a bind.

Right-hander Colin Rea came on for Horton in Friday’s game, surrendering only one run on four hits with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings. After starting 76 games over the last three seasons, Rea will certainly become more of a key figure for the staff than initially anticipated.

The coming days will reveal just how the Cubs brass will play it with the rotation. One thing is for sure: The club can ill-afford any further injuries in the short term.

Nate Miller

Throughout more than a decade covering various sports, particularly MLB & NFL, as a writer, editor, and podcast producer/host, Nate Miller has contributed for many of the top outlets in the biz such as FantasyPros, Athlon Sports, Fantasy Alarm, Sporting News, and others. He's been heard as a feature guest on various radio stations and podcasts, including Sirius XM Fantasy, FNTSY Network, and FM 92. 9 The Game in Atlanta

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