There’s no perfect blueprint for a team that suffers a season-ending injury to arguably its best pitcher. But Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer doesn’t feel like he and his front office are in uncharted waters after the team announced Tuesday that right-hander Cade Horton would be undergoing surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament.
“Last year, it was almost this exact time, we lost (left-handed pitcher Justin) Steele for the year,” Hoyer said before the Cubs’ 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday at Wrigley Field. “It felt really similar, honestly, to this. You sort of learn from that experience and move forward.
“We had a really good season last year. Guys stepped up and pitched really well. We have to have the same thing happen.”
Photos: Pittsburgh Pirates 2, Chicago Cubs 0
Friday’s starter, Shota Imanaga, could be the prime choice to try to fill the front-of-the-rotation-sized hole Horton left — and he showcased that potential in the loss. The 2024 All-Star tossed six no-hit innings against the Pirates with nine strikeouts and just one walk. Imanaga, 32, was the fourth starter in Cubs history to throw six or more no-hit innings with nine or more strikeouts, joining Ben Brown in 2024, Jake Arrieta in 2015 and Carlos Zambrano in 2008.
His start to the year is reminiscent of his 2024 campaign, in which he developed into arguably the Cubs’ best starter in his rookie major-league season. He started on opening day in 2025.
“I think Shota’s really had three good starts, kind of minus one pitch in the first start,” manager Craig Counsell said after the game. “That’s great news for us.”
Imanaga was pulled after 100 pitches and relieved by left-hander Caleb Thielbar, who surrendered the Pirates’ first hit with a leadoff single to Ryan O’Hearn in the seventh. Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run home run a pitch later, and the history that was bubbling at the Friendly Confines quickly turned into a deficit from which the Cubs couldn’t recover.
“It’s just what’s next,” Counsell said of his decision to pull Imanaga. “Where do you stop? And then what does it do for his next start? There’s not a path to finish that game. There’s danger in making that a 120-pitch outing in his third start of the year. Easy decision.”
The Cubs are in a bit of a precarious position with their pitching staff, making the decision to pull Imanaga even more straightforward.
Beyond Horton, they have opening-day starter Matthew Boyd on the 15-day IL. He’s expected to make a rehab appearance at a minor-league affiliate next week. The team on Friday also placed right-handed reliever Phil Maton on the 15-day IL, retroactive to Wednesday, with right knee tendinitis and recalled right-hander Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa.
“His patella is barking,” Hoyer said of Maton. “It’s hurting his ability to really drive. He’s been down one click on every pitch, and obviously that’s having an impact. We said the same thing about Boyd and (Maton): It’s April 10. We’ve got to focus on the next 150 games and making sure that guys are in a good place. I think pushing through discomfort in April almost can’t work, right? You’re going to make it worse.
“When Phil’s right, he’s really good, and we just need to get his knee feeling better and get him back.”
Cubs pinch hitter Matt Shaw reacts after striking out with the bases loaded to end the sixth inning against the Pirates on April 10, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The pitching questions, though, take a back seat on a day like Friday. The Cubs offense was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners on base. They were 12-for-41 with runners in scoring position on the recent six-game trip and hoped to buoy their offensive production with the return of slugger Seiya Suzuki into the middle of their lineup. He was activated off the 10-day IL before the game, and the Cubs designated outfielder Dylan Carlson for assignment to make room for Suzuki on the active roster.
Suzuki went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game back. He struck out in the sixth inning after Alex Bregman and Ian Happ led off the frame with singles.
“We’re putting one of our middle-of-the-order bats back in the lineup, we’re putting somebody that had 30 home runs and drove in a ton of runs for us back in the lineup,” Counsell said before the game. “It’s a big addition, for sure. I think we’ll be somewhat cautious over this first week of how we get him back.”
The Cubs can afford to be cautious with where they are in the season. It’s the same reason they’re not overly concerned with their 6-7 start.
“Really, when I look at our team, the only thing of significance for me that’s happened is Cade’s injury,” Hoyer said. “We’re (6-7), we haven’t really hit yet, and actually that excites me because we have really good players that haven’t gotten going yet. At the end of the day, they’ll get to where their baseball card says they should be or better.
“I think that’s a positive thing. We have a lot of positive regression coming to us on the offensive side. Hopefully it happens soon.”
Andy Martinez is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.