The Chicago Cubs have clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2020, but to start their playoff run, they’ll be without starting right-handed pitcher Cade Horton.
Horton was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Sept. 25 due to an untimely rib fracture, which means he’ll miss at least the wild-card round, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported Saturday. The soonest Horton would be eligible to return would be for Game 5 of the divisional round, if the team advances beyond the wild-card series.
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The team has recalled lefty Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move, the Cubs announced.
Horton has been considered a front-runner to win NL Rookie of the Year thanks to his strong performance since the All-Star break. In the second half of the season, he has a 1.03 ERA over 61 1/3 innings pitched in 12 starts. The righty holds an 8-1 record, with a 54:15 K:BB ratio, in that span.
Wicks has a 3-4 record in the minors this year, with a 3.80 ERA over 71 innings pitched. He has pitched 11 1/3 innings in relief for the Cubs this year, with a 7.94 ERA as a reliever.