Cubs President Defends Handling of Injured Pitching Prospect

Jed Hoyer addresses concerns over recent draft picks with injury histories

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into overlapping planes of navy, forest green, and burnt sienna colors, conveying the fragmented nature of the Cubs' pitching situation.The Cubs' handling of pitching prospect Cade Horton's injury history raises concerns about the team's development strategy.Chicago Today

The Chicago Cubs will be without 24-year-old pitching prospect Cade Horton for the rest of this season and well into the next after he requires elbow surgery, the latest setback for a player who has dealt with injury issues since college. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has come under scrutiny for the team's recent draft strategy of targeting pitchers with injury histories, including Horton and current top prospect Jaxon Wiggins, who is also dealing with arm soreness.

Why it matters

Horton's injury is a significant blow to the Cubs' playoff hopes this season, as he had emerged as a key part of their rotation. It also raises questions about the team's player development strategy and whether they are putting too much risk on young pitchers with injury histories.

The details

Horton, the Cubs' 2022 first-round draft pick, will require elbow surgery after initially being removed from a start in what was thought to be a precautionary move. He has dealt with various injuries since his college days at the University of Oklahoma, including Tommy John surgery in 2021. The Cubs have also recently acknowledged that their 2023 second-round pick, Jaxon Wiggins, is being monitored for arm soreness. Hoyer has defended the team's handling of Horton, saying they were 'unbelievably conservative' with him, but has not directly addressed why they targeted pitchers with injury histories in the first place.

  • Horton was removed from a start in early April 2026 in what was initially thought to be a precautionary move.
  • Horton will require elbow surgery and will be out for the rest of the 2026 season and into 2027.

The players

Cade Horton

A 24-year-old right-handed pitcher who was the Chicago Cubs' first-round draft pick in 2022. He has dealt with various injuries since college, including Tommy John surgery in 2021.

Jaxon Wiggins

The Chicago Cubs' top pitching prospect, who was their second-round draft pick in 2023. Wiggins is also dealing with arm soreness.

Jed Hoyer

The president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, who has defended the team's handling of Horton's injury and their recent draft strategy of targeting pitchers with injury histories.

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What they’re saying

“Guys are throwing 96, 97 (mph) with great stuff. You have to let them go pitch. When I look back, I don't have any thoughts or regrets about how we handled him, because we were so conservative. And, obviously, he broke down, so I just think that is the nature of pitching in 2026.”

— Jed Hoyer, President of Baseball Operations, Chicago Cubs

What’s next

The Cubs will need to determine a timeline for Horton's recovery and surgery, as well as continue to monitor the status of Jaxon Wiggins and the team's other pitching prospects. Hoyer may also face further questions about the team's player development strategy and their approach to drafting pitchers with injury histories.

The takeaway

The Cade Horton injury is a significant setback for the Cubs, who were counting on the young right-hander to be a key part of their rotation this season. Hoyer's defensive posture in addressing the situation raises questions about the team's player development strategy and whether they are putting too much risk on pitchers with injury histories. The Cubs will need to carefully manage their pitching depth going forward to remain competitive.