What Cade Horton's injury means to the Cubs

      The Cub's ace starting pitcher Cade Horton left yesterday's start after only one inning with right forearm tightness that started as right wrist tightness.  Today the Cubs announced Horton would be going on the 15-day disabled list and would be headed back to Chicago for additional testing.  The injury to Horton places the Cubs in a similar dilemma as in 2025, when last year's ace Justin Steele was injured early in the year.  The Cubs have some very tough choices to make in both the near future and long-term future for their pitching staff.

     The first concern is less threatening for the Cubs, how to replace Horton's three starts missed on the DL.  With Javier Assad now stretched out in the minor leagues, and Colin Rea available to move from the bullpen back into the rotation, the three missed starts should be covered.  The real problem exists if Horton's injury is more long term.  Horton's history of injury has Cru's Corner thinking this one may be a little more long term than short term.  Tommy John surgery in 2021 as a freshman at Oklahoma plus a Subscapularis Strain in his pitching arm in 2024, which cost him a large portion of that season, seem to indicate his arm is a bit damaged.  When healthy he definitely has ace stuff, but that might be the issue.  If Assad and Rae can pitch well enough to keep the Cubs in games for the short picture then maybe they can make a move before June to get another top flight arm.  Justin Steele should be returning around June 1st, but we expect he will be on a very short pitch count, and trading for a pitcher in June will be very costly as teams realize the Cubs are desperate. Keep an eye on Sandy Alcantara with the Marlins as their seems to be a good working relationship between clubs.  

     If Cade Horton's injury is a simple 15-day rest period the Cubs will be fine with what they have on the roster.  If it becomes months of down time, Jed Hoyer will need to earn his paycheck.  This team is too good for a wait until next year, pitching injury excuses, outlook.