Cubs Ace Cade Horton Out for Season After Elbow Surgery

Horton to miss remainder of 2026 campaign due to UCL injury

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:12am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy, forest green, and burnt orange, conveying the disruption caused by Cade Horton's season-ending elbow injury.The loss of Cubs ace Cade Horton to elbow surgery casts a shadow over the team's 2026 season, as they must find a way to overcome the absence of their young pitching star.Chicago Today

Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton will undergo elbow surgery and miss the rest of the 2026 MLB season after an MRI revealed a UCL injury in his right throwing arm, according to manager Craig Counsell.

Why it matters

Horton was expected to be a key part of the Cubs' starting rotation this season, so his extended absence is a significant blow to the team's playoff hopes. Elbow injuries are always concerning for pitchers, raising questions about Horton's long-term durability.

The details

Counsell announced that Horton will have surgery to repair the UCL damage, though the exact procedure has not yet been determined. The 24-year-old right-hander had been off to a strong start in 2026, posting a 3.12 ERA through his first five starts.

  • Horton was injured during his start on April 5, 2026.
  • An MRI on April 7, 2026 revealed the UCL damage.
  • Counsell announced the surgery and season-ending injury on April 8, 2026.

The players

Cade Horton

A 24-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.

Craig Counsell

The manager of the Chicago Cubs.

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What they’re saying

“Cade was off to a great start and this is a tough blow, but we'll support him through the rehab process and look forward to having him back healthy next season.”

— Craig Counsell, Cubs Manager

What’s next

Horton will undergo further evaluation to determine the exact surgical procedure needed to repair his UCL injury. The recovery timeline is typically 12-18 months for this type of surgery, so the Cubs expect him to miss the entire 2026 season.

The takeaway

Elbow injuries remain one of the biggest challenges for MLB pitchers, and the Cubs will have to find a way to weather the loss of their young ace Cade Horton for the 2026 campaign as they look to remain competitive in the NL Central.