The Chicago Cubs have one of the better starting rotations in baseball, but the depth may be tested rather quickly.
Cade Horton, a promising young starter, was starting Friday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, but was pulled early with an injury. Let’s take a closer look at what we know at this point and what it could mean going forward.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton leaves the game with right forearm discomfort
Aug 29, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Horton was today’s starter for the Cubs as they begin their road series with the Guardians. He looked sharp in the first inning, but the second inning saw some issues. Horton would throw a 93.8 mph fastball to Bo Naylor and immediately look into the dugout. The trainer and manager Craig Counsell would come out, and Horton would exit the game.
Marquee Sports’ Taylor McGregor would say on the broadcast that he had “tears in his eyes” as he was heading to the clubhouse. The team would officially call the injury right forearm discomfort. Unfortunately, the mind immediately jumps to Tommy John with forearm injuries, but it’s important to note that nothing has been announced at this point.
Horton is coming off a promising 2025 season as a rookie, finishing second in the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year voting. If he is going to miss extended time due to the injury, expect Javier Assad to get called up. He has been pitching in Triple-A and is on the same schedule as Horton has been in terms of starts.
It will be interesting to see what the latest updates for Horton will be. We will likely not find out until after the game concludes when we hear from Counsell.
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