The Chicago Cubs provided an update on right-hander Cade Horton during their weekend series against the New York Yankees, confirming the young pitcher will miss the rest of the 2026 season.
Horton has been sidelined since suffering an injury on April 3. The club revealed further details while the teams split the first two games of the set at Wrigley Field.
According to information shared through official channels, Horton underwent a right ulnar collateral ligament revision repair that included an internal brace on April 16. Doctors project a recovery timeline of roughly 15 to 16 months before he can return to competitive action.
The pitcher made only two appearances for the Cubs this year before the setback ended his campaign. He recently left his rehabilitation base in Arizona and arrived in Chicago on July 31 to spend time with the team while continuing his recovery work.
The Cubs entered Sunday’s series finale tied 1-1 with the Yankees after a 5-2 victory on Saturday night. A win in the rubber match would give Chicago the series.
Horton, 24, entered the organization as the seventh overall selection in the 2022 draft out of the University of Oklahoma. He has spent his entire professional career so far with the Cubs organization.
In his rookie season, Horton posted an 11-4 record with a 2.67 earned-run average across 23 games, including 22 starts. Those numbers quickly established him as one of the more promising arms on the staff.
Team officials and observers have long viewed Horton as a potential cornerstone of the rotation once fully healthy. His combination of stuff and early results suggested he could develop into a frontline starter.
The extended absence leaves a noticeable gap in the Cubs’ pitching depth for the remainder of 2026. Front-office decision-makers will now look to other arms on the roster and in the minor-league system to fill the innings.
Horton’s decision to join the big-league club in Chicago while rehabbing is expected to keep him connected to the group during the long recovery process. Being around teammates can often help maintain morale during lengthy injury layoffs.
When Horton eventually returns, likely sometime in the 2027 season based on the projected timetable, the Cubs hope he can pick up where he left off as a key piece of their pitching plans. At his age, there remains substantial upside if the surgery and rehabilitation succeed as planned.
The update comes as the Cubs continue to navigate the second half of the season. How the club manages without one of its higher-upside starters will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
For now, the focus for Horton remains on steady progress through the lengthy rehabilitation program. The organization has emphasized a patient approach to ensure he returns at full strength rather than rushing the process.
