Cubs' Cade Horton Seeks 2nd Tommy John Comeback Guidance from Teammate Jameson Taillon

Horton, who underwent his second career Tommy John surgery, looks to veteran Taillon for a blueprint on returning to elite form after the procedure.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:10pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract representation of the sport's physical demands.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's throwing motion captures the complex physicality of the sport as the Cubs navigate Cade Horton's second Tommy John recovery.Chicago Today

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton, who just underwent his second career Tommy John surgery, will be looking to veteran teammate Jameson Taillon for guidance on how to successfully return to the mound. Taillon has undergone the procedure twice himself and has thrived since his most recent surgery in 2019, providing a potential blueprint for the young Horton to follow.

Why it matters

Horton's injury is a major blow to the Cubs, who entered the season with World Series aspirations. The team will now have to navigate the season without one of their top young arms. Horton's ability to return to form after his second Tommy John surgery will be crucial to the Cubs' long-term success.

The details

Horton, 24, emerged as one of the top young pitchers in baseball last season, throwing 28+ consecutive scoreless innings in the second half of 2025. However, the right-hander now faces a lengthy recovery process after undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery. Teammate Jameson Taillon, who has undergone the procedure twice himself, could provide valuable guidance to Horton on how to successfully return to elite form.

  • Horton underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2026, ruling him out for the entire 2026 season and likely into the 2027 season.
  • Taillon last underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, returning to throw nearly 300 strikeouts over the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Yankees.

The players

Cade Horton

A 24-year-old starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who just underwent his second career Tommy John surgery, putting his 2026 season and beyond in jeopardy.

Jameson Taillon

A veteran starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who has undergone Tommy John surgery twice in his career, in 2014 and 2019, and has successfully returned to elite form since his most recent procedure.

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What’s next

The Cubs will monitor Horton's recovery progress closely, with the hope that he can return to the mound at some point during the 2027 season.

The takeaway

Horton's second Tommy John surgery is a significant setback for the Cubs, but the team is fortunate to have a veteran like Taillon who has navigated a similar recovery process and can provide guidance to the young pitcher. Horton's ability to bounce back will be crucial to the Cubs' long-term success.