Cubs Pitcher Cade Horton to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

Counsell confirms Horton will miss 2026 season to repair torn UCL

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:24am

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the disruption caused by Horton's season-ending injury.Horton's injury forces the Cubs to rethink their pitching plans as the season approaches.Chicago Today

The Chicago Cubs have announced that starting pitcher Cade Horton will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow. Manager Craig Counsell confirmed the news, stating that Horton will likely miss most of the 2027 season as well depending on the type of procedure performed.

Why it matters

Horton was expected to be a key part of the Cubs' starting rotation this season after a promising rookie campaign in 2025. His injury is a significant blow to the team's pitching depth and playoff aspirations, forcing them to rely more heavily on backup options like Colin Rea and Javier Assad.

The details

Counsell stated that the surgical team will determine whether Horton requires a full Tommy John ligament replacement surgery or a less invasive internal brace procedure when they operate. The internal brace option could potentially shorten his recovery timeline, but a full reconstruction would likely sideline him for most of the 2027 season as well.

  • Counsell confirmed the news on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Cade Horton

A 24-year-old starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who will undergo season-ending elbow surgery.

Craig Counsell

The manager of the Chicago Cubs who announced Horton's injury and upcoming surgery.

Colin Rea

A Cubs pitcher who will likely take on a larger role in the starting rotation with Horton out.

Javier Assad

A Cubs pitcher who will likely take on a larger role in the starting rotation with Horton out.

Matthew Boyd

A Cubs pitcher who is also dealing with a bicep injury but is expected to miss minimal time.

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What they’re saying

“Whether this is another Tommy John ligament replacement like the one he had at Oklahoma in 2021 or an internal brace procedure like the one Justin Steele underwent last year is not yet known. In fact, it may not be until he's on the operating table that the surgery team will know how to proceed.”

— Evan Altman, Author

What’s next

The Cubs will wait to determine the full extent of Horton's injury and the recovery timeline once the surgery is completed. In the meantime, they will rely on their depth options like Rea and Assad to fill the void in the starting rotation.

The takeaway

Horton's injury is a significant setback for the Cubs, who were counting on him to be a key part of their starting rotation this season. The team's pitching depth will be tested as they navigate his absence, which could extend into the 2027 campaign depending on the surgical outcome.