CHICAGO – The Cubs have placed Cade Horton on the 15-day injured list due to a rib fracture. This unfortunate news means he won’t be able to pitch in the upcoming wild-card round.
The 24-year-old rookie suffered the injury while coughing during a recent illness in Cincinnati. He left his last game early after just two innings. Initially, the team saw a chance to move forward even after imaging showed a problem in his rib area. However, after he played catch on Friday and Saturday, it became clear that pitching would not be feasible. Cubs president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, mentioned, “He felt discomfort and couldn’t pitch the way he needed to.”
Horton had quickly become the Cubs’ standout starter. In his last 12 games, he boasted an impressive record of 8-1 with a 1.03 ERA. Despite being a rookie, he is considered a frontrunner for the National League Rookie of the Year award. However, he won’t be eligible to pitch in the postseason until at least Game 5 of the division series.
The Cubs are scheduled to face the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round starting Tuesday. With Horton out, they are likely to turn to Matthew Boyd as the Game 1 starter, with Shota Imanaga also in consideration. Other options include right-handers Jameson Taillon and Colin Rea, both of whom have ended the season strong.
Injuries like Horton’s raise questions about player health management. With the MLB postseason approaching, teams are challenged to balance player safety and competitive needs. Historically, rookie pitchers have faced hurdles in their first postseason. For example, in 1998, Kerry Wood faced similar challenges but went on to have a successful career.
Fan reactions on social media reflect disappointment, with many Cubs supporters expressing their hopes for Horton’s quick recovery. As the postseason excitement builds, the Cubs will have to adapt and find new strategies to compete effectively without their star rookie.
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