Cade Horton to Undergo Elbow Surgery, Ending Season Early

Original: Cubs' Horton to have elbow surgery, done for '26

Espn•Apr 8, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

Cade Horton, a 24-year-old starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, will have season-ending surgery to repair his right elbow's ulnar collateral ligament. This injury follows a strained forearm and significantly impacts the team's pitching depth for the remainder of the season.

Key Points

01Cade Horton will have season-ending surgery on his right elbow.
02He was placed on the injured list after experiencing discomfort during a game.
03Horton had a strong rookie season with an 11-4 record and a 2.67 ERA.
04The Cubs are facing challenges in replacing Horton's production on the mound.
05Left-hander Matthew Boyd is also on the injured list, adding to the team's pitching woes.

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Full Summary

Cade Horton, the 24-year-old starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, will undergo surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, effectively ending his season. Manager Craig Counsell announced the decision after Horton was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a strained forearm. Horton left a game against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning after feeling discomfort while throwing a fastball. Last season, he had an impressive record of 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA as a rookie. This season, he started with a 1-0 record and a 2.45 ERA over two games. The Cubs are now tasked with finding replacements, including Javier Assad and Colin Rea, as they also deal with the injury of left-hander Matthew Boyd. The loss of Horton is a significant setback for the Cubs as they aim to maintain their competitive edge this season.

Key Figures

11-4

Horton's record last season

2.67

Horton's ERA last season

1-0

Horton's record this season

2.45

Horton's ERA this season

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Why It Matters

The Cubs will need to rely on less experienced pitchers to fill the gap left by Horton, which could affect their performance and playoff aspirations.

Who is affected

Cubs fans, players, and coaching staff.

What to know

Fans should monitor the team's pitching changes and performance as they adapt to these injuries.

FAQ

Ulnar collateral ligament surgery, often referred to as Tommy John surgery, is a procedure to reconstruct the ligament in the elbow, commonly performed on baseball pitchers.

Horton's absence will challenge the Cubs' pitching depth and overall performance, as he was a key player with strong statistics.

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