Horton (8-4) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Angels on Saturday.
Horton was sharp, throwing 55 of 74 pitches for strikes in this 12-1 win. He looked no worse for wear after exiting his last start early due a blister on his right middle finger. This was Horton's fifth scoreless outing in seven starts since the All-Star break -- he's allowed just two runs on 18 hits and 11 walks while racking up 34 strikeouts over 37 innings in that span. For the season, he's at a 2.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 77:29 K:BB through 93.2 innings over 18 appearances (17 starts). The 24-year-old's next start is projected to be on the road in Colorado.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Ready to start Saturday
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Horton (finger) will start Saturday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, MLB.com reports.
During his most recent start in Monday's loss to the Brewers, Horton was lifted in the third inning due to a minor blister on his pitching hand. Counsell acknowledged that the rookie had dealt with a blister in the same spot in the past, but the righty apparently checked out fine during his between-starts bullpen session and will take the hill Saturday for his 18th outing of the season. Horton has been the Cubs' top-performing starter since the All-Star break, going 4-1 with an 0.58 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 31 innings.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Tending to blister on middle finger
Rotowire
The Cubs announced that Horton was removed in the third inning of his start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers due to a blister on his right middle finger, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Horton was visited on the mound on three occasions during the afternoon before he was lifted from the contest after recording three strikeouts and allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk across 2.2 innings. Though the blister isn't a major health concern for the young hurler, it could jeopardize his availability for his next turn through the rotation, which is expected to come this weekend versus the Angels. If Horton ends up requiring a stint on the injured list, the Cubs could recall Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to replace the rookie in the rotation.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Exits start with apparent blister
Rotowire
Horton was removed from his start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers midway through the third inning due to an apparent blister on his pitching hand, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. He struck out three batters and gave up one run on four hits and one walk over 2.2 frames prior to departing the contest.
The Cubs will likely provide clarity later Monday regarding whether Horton was battling a blister or some other kind of health concern, but the rookie was pulled from the contest after he was visited twice on the mound by Craig Counsell and a team trainer and on an another occasion by pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. Prior to Monday's twin bill, Horton had been the Cubs' top performing starter since the All-Star break, having posted a microscopic 0.32 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 28.1 innings over his last five starts. After exiting with a 1-0 deficit, Horton will be on the hook for his fourth loss of the season if the Cubs are unable to tie the game or take the lead at any point in the remainder of the contest.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Came up in trade discussions
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Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Horton's name came up in discussions before last week's trade deadline, but the team was unwilling to move the young pitcher, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Chicago was reportedly interested in All-Stars MacKenzie Gore and Joe Ryan, but it appears acquiring either pitcher would have required moving Horton, and the team was unwilling to do so. Horton has rewarded the club's faith recently, as the rookie has rattled off four consecutive scoreless starts totaling 22.2 innings. On the season, the 23-year-old righty has an impressive 3.18 ERA across 79.1 innings. While Gore or Ryan would have provided the Cubs' rotation with a bigger name for the stretch run, the team clearly sees long-term ace potential in Horton.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Another sharp outing
Rotowire
Horton (4-3) earned the win against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three across 6.1 scoreless innings.
It was another strong start for Horton, who limited the White Sox to just five baserunners while tossing 84 pitches (56 strikes). The 2022 first-round pick has yielded zero runs in three of his last four starts, which now has him at a 3.67 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 68.2 innings this season. It was Horton's first win since June 3 against the Nationals, and he'll look to make it two in a row in his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Orioles.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Stumbles in third loss
Rotowire
Horton (3-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Twins, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out five.
After firing seven shutout innings his last time out, Horton stumbled in Minnesota on Wednesday despite registering an impressive 19 whiffs. The rookie right-hander has now failed to make it through five frames in three of his last four starts, and he's walked multiple batters and been unable to fan greater than five in each of these outings. Horton will take a shaky 4.45 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 43:18 K:BB through his first 56.2 innings into the All-Star break, but he has a clear pathway to a rotation spot with the Cubs for now due to the absence of Justin Steele (elbow).
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Hit hard by Astros
Rotowire
Horton (3-2) allowed seven runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out two over four innings to take the loss Friday versus the Astros.
Horton stayed in the rotation over Ben Brown following Shota Imanaga's return from a hamstring injury. However, it looks like Horton is on shaky ground, as he's allowed 13 runs (10 earned) over his last 8.2 innings. He also gave up a pair of three-run home runs Friday, the first long balls he's allowed over five starts in June. The rookie right-hander is at a 4.80 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB through 45 innings across nine appearances (eight starts). It's not a great sign that his two worst outings have been his two most recent, though the Mariners and Astros are tough opponents, and he was also poor versus the Tigers earlier in the month. Horton is tentatively scheduled for a home start versus the Guardians his next time out.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Should stick in rotation
Rotowire
With Ben Brown getting optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Horton figures to stick in the Cubs' rotation when Shota Imanaga (hamstring) returns later this week.
With Imanaga's return imminent, Chicago has to make room in the rotation, and for now it seems like Horton will keep his spot. The Cubs could have gone with a six-man rotation or moved Colin Rea into a long-relief role. However, with Brown getting tagged for eight runs in his start Monday, the team decided he's the one to go for now, with Horton and Rea sticking as starters along with Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon. Horton has pitched well during his rookie campaign, compiling a 3.73 ERA across his first eight MLB appearances. He's penciled in to start Friday against the Astros on the road.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Settles for no-decision Saturday
Rotowire
Horton did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against Seattle. He struck out two.
The right-hander wasn't at his sharpest, and a Vidal Brujan error in the fifth inning contributed to his exit. Despite the shortened outing, Horton has put together a solid rookie campaign, posting a 3.73 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 41 innings across eight appearances, including seven starts.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Takes first loss of 2025
Rotowire
Horton (3-1) took the loss against the Tigers on Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six across five innings.
The Cubs fell behind in the first inning after Horton yielded a two-run double to Spencer Torkelson. Horton settled in to keep the Tigers off the board over the next three frames, but he ran into trouble again in the fifth and gave up two more runs on a Riley Greene single to left field. It was the most runs Horton has given up across six starts this season, and Sunday's start inflated his ERA and WHIP to 4.11 and 1.30, respectively, across 30.2 innings. He'll look to get back into the win column in his next start, tentatively slated for next weekend against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Falls short of quality start
Rotowire
Horton (3-0) yielded three runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings Tuesday, striking out three and earning a win over the Nationals.
Horton coughed up a run in the first inning and two more in the third, but the Cubs' offense picked him up in the 8-3 victory. It was his fourth straight outing of at least five innings, but he's produced only one quality start at the MLB level so far. He threw 52 of 77 pitches for strikes and generated only seven whiffs. Horton now owns a 4.21 ERA alongside a 19:5 K:BB through 25.2 big-league frames. His next matchup is expected to be this weekend in Detroit.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Stingy in no-decision
Rotowire
Horton came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
The rookie right-hander tossed just 54 of 92 pitches for strikes in his third big-league appearance and second start, but Horton generated 16 swinging strikes to help limit the damage from the traffic he put on the basepaths. Neither Shota Imanaga (hamstring) nor Javier Assad (oblique) are expected back until at least mid-June, so Horton should get a long runway to prove he belongs in the majors. He'll take a 4.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB through 14.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Rockies.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Handling starting role Friday
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Horton is scheduled to start Friday's game against the White Sox at Wrigley Field, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
After being promoted from Triple-A Iowa last Saturday, Horton made his MLB debut later that day against the Mets, working in bulk relief and striking out five while allowing three runs on four hits and no walks across four innings en route to claiming the win. According to Levine, manager Craig Counsell suggested that the decision to use Horton in relief against the Mets was mainly to spare him from matchups with Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso to begin his big-league career, but the top of the White Sox lineup won't provide nearly as tough of a test. Horton should continue to hold down a spot in the Chicago rotation at least until Shota Imanaga (hamstring) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Officially promoted
Rotowire
The Cubs selected Horton's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Although Brad Keller is listed as the starter for Saturday's contest against the Mets, Horton is still expected to make his MLB debut during the game -- likely as a bulk reliever. The 23-year-old righty has dazzled to the tune of a 1.24 ERA and a 33:13 K:BB across 29 innings in Triple-A this year, and he could make a case to remain on the big-league roster even once Shota Imanaga (hamstring) returns with a few strong performances. To clear roster space for Horton, Tom Cosgrove was optioned to Iowa, and Eli Morgan (elbow) was moved to the 60-day IL.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: On his way to big leagues
Rotowire
The Cubs are expected to call up Horton from Triple-A Iowa for this weekend's series against the Mets, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.
The Cubs need a starter to fill in for the injured Shota Imanaga (hamstring), and signs were pointing to Horton after Chris Flexen was used in relief Tuesday and Wednesday. Horton is likely to make his major-league debut with a start Saturday, although the team has not yet confirmed it. A first-round pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Horton was limited to only nine starts in 2024 due to shoulder problems, but in 2025 he's posted a 1.24 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB over 29 innings covering six starts with Iowa. He could make additional starts after Saturday if he pitches well.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Under consideration for start
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Horton is a possibility to enter the rotation in place of the injured Shota Imanaga (hamstring), Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Counsell also mentioned Chris Flexen as an option, and Flexen could be the favorite to draw a start this weekend against the Mets since he's already on the 26-man and 40-man rosters, while Horton is not. However, Horton has put himself in the conversation by posting a 1.24 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB over 29 innings at Triple-A Iowa this season. Imanaga will miss at least two starts after landing on the 15-day injured list Monday.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Showing improved control at Triple-A
Rotowire
Horton struck out five and allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk over six innings in his latest start for Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.
Horton owns excellent ratios (1.24 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 33:13 K:BB) over 29 innings at Triple-A this season, but his control has been especially on point in his last three starts. He's logged a 15:3 K:BB in 16.2 innings over that span, and the improved efficiency he's displayed of late could put him in line to make his MLB debut in the near future. The Cubs could have a need for another starter as soon as this weekend in New York, as Shota Imanaga is at risk of missing his next turn through the rotation against the Mets after departing his most recent start Sunday due to a hamstring strain. Imanaga will undergo an MRI on Monday as the Cubs look to determine whether his hamstring strain is significant enough to require a stint on the injured list.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Effective in second spring start
Rotowire
Horton tossed two scoreless innings in Friday's Cactus League game against the Padres. He allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one.
Horton started a spring training game back on March 8 and got another turn Friday. The 23-year-old pitched at both Double-A and Triple-A last year, and he figures to return to Triple-A Iowa this season for an extended look at that level. If Horton pitches well there, he could push for his MLB debut at some point in the summer, though Chicago would have to open up a spot on its 40-man roster to make room for the young righty. He's an intriguing prospect who would have some fantasy appeal once he makes it to the majors.
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Cubs' Cade Horton: Makes spring debut
Rotowire
Horton (shoulder) gave up one earned run on one hit and struck out one over one inning in Saturday's 9-8 win over the Mariners in Cactus League play.
The right-hander is being brought along slowly this spring after he didn't pitch during the final four months of the 2024 season while recovering from a Grade 2 right subscapularis strain. Horton should increase his workload in his next spring outing, though it could come at minor-league camp rather than in the Cactus League.
