The Cubs’ potential ace of the future could be facing a long injury absence.
Cade Horton, who left his start on Friday in the second inning with forearm discomfort and was placed on the injured list, had an MRI exam that was “not good, not clean,” ESPN’s Jesse Rogers said Tuesday on ESPN Chicago radio.
The 24-year-old is set to meet with Dr. Keith Meister to determine next steps, Rogers added, with the potential of Tommy John surgery looming.
Cubs starter Cade Horton (22) leaves a start against the Guardians with a trainer on April 3, 2026. MLB Photos via Getty Images
If Horton does need the surgery, it would be a major blow to a Cubs team hoping to compete for a World Series.
The right-hander had a strong rookie campaign in 2025, going 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 118 innings, finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting; Braves catcher Drake Baldwin won the award.
Horton’s injury is another blow to a Cubs rotation that just saw left-hander Matthew Boyd go on the injured list Monday with a bicep strain.
Boyd, 35, earned his first career All-Star nod last season, going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 179 ⅔ innings.
Javier Assad was called up to start Tuesday’s road game against the Rays.
The Cubs’ other healthy starters are Edward Cabrera, Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon.
Chicago (4-6) entered Tuesday in last place in the NL Central, four games behind the division-leading Brewers.
Their offense has struggled mightily so far, with a team batting average of .199, third-worst in MLB.
While the Cubs lost Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers in free agency, they did sign Alex Bregman, who is just 6-for-40 through the first 10 games with two home runs.
