Forearm discomfort forces Cade Horton from Friday's start, prompting concern and a potential IL stint. The Cubs await MRI results amid rotation questions.
The Chicago Cubs are hoping Cade Horton’s injury is not long-term.
Horton left his start early on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. He made quick work in the first inning before leaving the contest with no outs in the second.
Horton started off the second inning by walking Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo on five pitches. Everything appeared to be fine with Horton, as his fastball topped out at 95.5 mph during that plate appearance.
Then, Bo Naylor came to the plate. Horton threw an 82 mph curveball for a ball and then fired a fastball for a strike at the bottom of the zone. Immediately after that pitch, Horton looked over to the Cubs' dugout and appeared to be in some discomfort.
After a brief conversation with manager Craig Counsell and the training staff, Horton left the game and headed straight for the clubhouse. Sideline reporter Taylor McGregor also reported on the Marquee Sports Network broadcast that Horton “almost looked to have tears in his eyes.”
Colin Rea replaced Horton in the second inning, and the Cubs announced shortly after that the right-hander left Friday’s game due to right forearm discomfort. His fastball velocity on the last pitch to Naylor came in at 93.8 mph.
This is obviously not great news for Horton. While we shouldn’t assume what will happen, any type of arm injury is concerning. Tommy John surgery always comes into play when a pitcher injures his forearm/elbow.
However, nothing has been confirmed yet. Horton will undergo an MRI, and the team will hope for the best. There is a chance the Cubs could place him on the 15-day injured list as they await the official diagnosis.
If the Cubs do place him on the 15-day IL, Javier Assad will likely be called up to take his spot on the 26-man roster at some point. The Cubs will then have to decide whether Assad or Rea will fill Horton's rotation spot.
Assad has made two starts with Triple-A Iowa to begin the season. He threw three scoreless innings with five strikeouts last Friday and then allowed seven earned runs (eight runs) on 11 hits across four innings on Thursday night.
Since Assad just pitched, the Cubs may wait a few days to actually call him up if Horton does indeed go on the IL ahead of Saturday’s game.
Both the Cubs and Horton are hoping for the best.