Cubs right-hander Cade Horton exits Friday's start with right forearm discomfort
CLEVELAND — Cubs right-hander Cade Horton exited Friday's start against the Guardians in the second inning with right forearm discomfort.
Horton walked Kyle Manzardo on five pitches and was in a 1-1 count against Bo Naylor before he called for the dugout. Horton’s final pitch was clocked at 93.8 mph.
Forearm injuries for pitchers are always alarming and concerning. White Sox left-hander Martin Perez left an April 18 start against the Red Sox and was initially diagnosed with left forearm soreness. He wouldn't pitch again until Aug. 18 against the Tigers after an intensive rehab process.
Horton tore his UCL before his freshman season at Oklahoma, forcing him to redshirt the entire year. He played third base and pitched in relief during his redshirt freshman season in 2022 as he recovered from the surgery. Horton excelled throughout the minors, showing the Cubs that he has front-of-the-rotation stuff.
The Cubs have to be hoping for nothing serious to be wrong with Horton, who has immense potential to lead the rotation in the future, but also this season. After a shaky spring training, Horton, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, looked strong in his 2026 debut against the Nationals. He went 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. His performance was a continuation of how Horton pitched last season before a non-displaced rib fracture prematurely ended his season — Horton had a 1.03 ERA over 12 second-half starts and was arguably the team's best pitcher.
Injuries have interrupted Horton's major-league career to this point after a right lat strain derailed his 2024 season, and the rib fracture ruined his promising 2025 season.
The Cubs have the pitching depth to survive a short absence from Horton — Colin Rea entered for Horton in relief, and right-hander Ben Brown is stretched out and has looked improved after adding muscle, adding a sinker, and getting more comfortable with his changeup. But their ceiling is undoubtedly lowered without him.
"The thing that stands out is his mentality, the way he prepares and the confidence that he has in himself," left fielder Ian Happ said before the game. "I think it's pretty infectious for the group. And you know that he's on the mound, he's gonna go out there with that [mentality]."