Cubs Starting Pitcher Cade Horton Leaves Game With Apparent Injury

The Chicago Cubs have already stumbled to a 3-3 record going into today's game.

They may have just suffered their worst loss yet.

Cubs starter Cade Horton has exited today's game with right forearm discomfort, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Network. After issuing a walk to start the second inning, Horton threw two pitches to Bo Naylor. On the second pitch, Horton motioned for a trainer.

A forearm injury is incredibly ominous for any pitcher. It could signal a potential elbow injury, which could lead to Tommy John surgery.

Why is this such a huge loss?

Horton was at just 17 pitches through an inning-plus of work against the Cleveland Guardians. He had been primed to have a breakout campaign in 2026 after finishing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting last year. However, that breakout may have to wait.

Horton obviously felt something wasn't right, which is why he motioned for the trainer. However, the damage could've already been done.

Cade Horton has exited today's game. pic.twitter.com/SGTWCffI6c
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 3, 2026

The Cubs selected Horton with the seventh overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.

Horton quickly became one of the top pitching prospects in the minor leagues, at No. 26 in 2024 and No. 52 in 2025, per MLB Pipeline.

In 2025, Horton would pitch in 23 games (22 starts), throwing 118 innings to a 2.67 ERA with 97 strikeouts. As a result, Horton received nine first-place NL ROY votes for his performance but ultimately lost to Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin.

To start 2026, Horton was sharp once again. In his first start, he went 6.1 innings, giving up two earned runs, four strikeouts and a walk.

This is an incredibly unfortunate loss for the Cubs, who were relying on Horton to deliver quality innings the entire season.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

With a rotation of Matthew Boyd, Edward Cabrera, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Horton, the Cubs were set to have one of the best rotations in the game. Now, it looks like one of Colin Rea or Ben Brown would replace Horton in the rotation for the time being.

It's also possible, albeit unlikely, that the Cubs promote their No. 2 prospect, Jaxon Wiggins. However, Counsell has said in the past that Wiggins is not quite ready for the major leagues.

Whatever the case may be, this is an unfortunate and unexpected injury that could hinder the Cubs' chances with their contention window seemingly open.