Cubs pitcher Cade Horton exits start early due to injury

Horton was pulled after just one inning against the Guardians, forcing the Cubs to turn to reliever Colin Rea.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:38pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the raw energy and motion of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's motion captures the fragmented, high-intensity action of a baseball game.Chicago Today

In the second inning of Friday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton was removed from the game due to an apparent injury. Horton, a former 7th overall draft pick, had been pitching well in his first start of the season but was forced to exit early after throwing just one pitch in the second frame. The Cubs were then forced to turn to reliever Colin Rea to try and stabilize the game.

Why it matters

The early exit for Horton is a concerning development for the Cubs, who were hoping the young pitcher could build on his solid debut. Injuries to starting pitchers can often derail a team's season, so the Cubs will be closely monitoring Horton's status and hoping the issue is not serious.

The details

After Horton threw a 93.8 mph fastball in the second inning, Cubs personnel came out to check on him. Horton then walked off the field, ending his outing. Prior to the injury, Horton had been throwing 95-96 mph in the first inning. The Cubs turned to veteran Colin Rea to try and provide length out of the bullpen after Horton's early departure.

  • Horton was removed from the game in the 2nd inning on April 3, 2026.

The players

Cade Horton

A 24-year-old starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who was the 7th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.

Colin Rea

A veteran relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who was called upon to provide length out of the bullpen after Horton's early exit.

Cleveland Guardians

The opposing team that the Cubs were playing against when Horton was injured.

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What they’re saying

“Cade Horton was throwing 95-96 in the first inning, but then after a 93.8 MPH fastball in the 2nd he was removed from the game.”

— Mike Petriello, MLB Analyst

What’s next

The Cubs will closely monitor Horton's injury and provide updates on the severity. If the issue is serious, it could force the team to make a roster move to bring up another starting pitcher from the minors.

The takeaway

Injuries to starting pitchers can derail a team's season, so the Cubs will be hoping Horton's issue is not too serious. The early exit forced them to turn to the bullpen, which could have long-term implications if Horton is sidelined for an extended period.