The Cubs will be without one of their top starters for at least the first round of the playoffs, as Cade Horton has been placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to September 25) due to a non-displaced right rib fracture. Left-hander Jordan Wicks was called up to take Horton’s roster spot for the final two games of Chicago’s regular season.
Horton made an early exit from his last start on Tuesday due to back soreness, and a follow-up MRI revealed an unspecified issue in his ribcage, as manager Craig Counsell told reporters earlier this week. Horton threw in the outfield yesterday and was slated to throw a bullpen session today, yet those positive signs have now been abruptly overshadowed by the news of the IL placement.
In the best-case scenario, Horton is now out of action until at least Game 5 of the NLDS, should the Cubs make it that deep into the second playoff round. Given that narrow window for activation, it doesn’t seem likely that the Cubs would include him on an NLDS roster, so a more realistic scenario would see Horton return as part of the NLCS roster if he can get healthy.
Of course, Chicago’s chances at such a deep postseason run will be a lot more difficult without the rookie who has emerged as a key rotation piece. Horton figures to get plenty of NL Rookie of the Year votes in the wake of a debut season that has seen the right-hander post a 2.67 ERA over his first 118 innings in the bigs. A 4.26 SIERA reflects Horton’s underwhelming 20.4% strikeout rate and the good fortune he has enjoyed in the both of both a 78.3% strand rate and a .258 BABIP, but Horton’s 6.9% walk rate is very solid.
There’s also the fact that Horton (the seventh overall pick of the 2022 draft) was getting better as he gained more experience. He posted a 4.45 ERA across his first 56 2/3 innings, but then delivered just a 1.03 ERA over his next 12 starts and 61 1/3 frames. This was seemingly a good omen for Horton and the Cubs as the playoffs loomed, as the rookie had locked up a spot in Chicago’s postseason rotation.
The Cubs should have enough starting pitching options to get by, even if their depth chart has now been shortened. Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and either Colin Rea or Jameson Taillon will be the starters for the best-of-three Wild Card Series, and that quartet should line up as the rotation for the remainder of the postseason. Javier Assad is also in line to be at least a multi-inning reliever in October, and Counsell has indicated that he’ll use his entire pitching staff to navigate the playoffs, perhaps outside of traditional starter/reliever roles.
With two games left in the regular season, the Cubs are two games ahead of the Padres for the top NL wild card slot. Unless the Cubs go 0-2 and the Padres go 2-0 the rest of the way, their NLWCS will be played in Chicago, with Game 1 set for Tuesday.
Ok, so Shota has looked awful, Boyd hasn’t been good outside of his most recent start.. Taillon is probably their best starter with Horton out..
How it’ll probably go: Shota, Taillon, Boyd
How it should go: Boyd, Taillon, Rea
Great news for SD
At least for me, changes who is the favorite in a Cubs versus Padres series. Maybe from Cubs 55 percent chance of winning down to Cubs 45 percent chance of winning.
It’ll be okay because at the trade deadline Jed Hoyer reinforced the pitching staff and solidified the bench. Oh wait, no he didn’t, all he did was get his own contract extended. Still waiting to see where the Bellinger $30 million salary dump went which ownership claimed wasn’t a dump but the money was “being repurposed”.
Much as I like to bash Hoyer I can’t for not trading the top of the pitching prospects for more rentals. I mean the Tucker thing really worked out right? This team will be much better in the future depending on what Jed does this off season as Ricketts doesn’t want deals past 2026 and Hoyer usually can’t keep it in his pants but he did at the deadline. I’ll applaud him for that, Hawkins stupid 2032 comment notwithstanding.
That completely sucks. Imanaga better learn how to keep the ball in the park fast as that thrusts Tallion into the top 3. Unless they want to use Rea. Neither option is favorable but saving Horton’s future is way more important.
I’d trust Rea way more than Shota right now.
Maybe. But I know Counsell won’t. Even though you could probably make that case in court.
Keeping the ball in the park has been Imanaga’s problem, even in Japan.
Shota and his 89 mph fastballs vs Tatis-nice.
It’s ok. Cubs did not have a chance anyways. Have been a middling team since ASB. Totally out of steam. Everyone can see it.
This news is a gut punch. Soul-crushing. It’s a game changer. Horton has been arguably the best Cubs starter post-ASB. Let’s hope Boyd has some gas left in his tank. Let’s hope Imanaga and Taillon can limit the dingers. Let’s hope Assad and Rea can eat some innings. Let’s hope Ben Brown is not on the roster. Cubs are still alive in 2025!
Brett Taylor was fooled as he always is, but the “area of concern” pretty much tipped off the rest of us.
Just saw an interview with Hoyer between innings of the game. He made sense, Answered questions logically and made points. I woke up this morning and there was a Twilight Zone on so I must have woke up in opposite world today.