Cubs Pitcher Cade Horton Visiting Specialist After 'Not Good' MRI Results

The 24-year-old right-hander has dealt with a string of injuries throughout his young MLB career.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:28pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted tones, conveying the physical strain and fragility of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a young pitcher's injury struggles, deconstructing the physical strain of the game into fragmented geometric forms.Arlington Today

Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton will be seeing a specialist in Texas after an MRI revealed unfavorable results regarding a recent forearm injury. Horton, a 24-year-old right-hander, was placed on the injured list after leaving his April 3 start against the Cleveland Guardians due to discomfort in his forearm. The Cubs received the bad news about Horton's status on Tuesday, with reports indicating the MRI results were 'not clean and not good'.

Why it matters

Horton has been a promising young arm for the Cubs, but has dealt with a number of injuries throughout his brief MLB career so far, including Tommy John surgery in 2021 and a shoulder injury and rib fracture in recent seasons. This latest setback is a concerning development for the Cubs, who are hoping Horton can stay healthy and continue his development as a key part of their starting rotation.

The details

Horton will be visiting Dr. Keith Meister, an orthopedic surgeon based in Arlington, Texas, to further evaluate the results of the MRI. Horton had made two starts for the Cubs this season, including a strong outing on Opening Day where he pitched 6.1 innings and struck out four batters in a 10-2 win over the Washington Nationals.

  • On April 3, Horton had to be taken out of the game against the Cleveland Guardians due to discomfort in his forearm.
  • Shortly after, Horton was placed on the injured list.
  • On Tuesday, the Cubs received the bad news about Horton's status following the MRI.

The players

Cade Horton

A 24-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who was the 7th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Horton has dealt with a number of injuries throughout his young career, including Tommy John surgery in 2021.

Dr. Keith Meister

An orthopedic surgeon based in Arlington, Texas who Horton will be visiting to further evaluate the results of his recent MRI.

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What they’re saying

“The MRI results were 'not clean and not good'.”

— Jesse Rodgers, ESPN.com reporter

What’s next

Horton will be visiting Dr. Keith Meister in Texas to further evaluate the results of the MRI and determine the next steps for his recovery and potential treatment.

The takeaway

Cade Horton's latest injury setback is a concerning development for the Cubs, who have been counting on the young right-hander to be a key part of their starting rotation. Horton's history of injuries, including Tommy John surgery and other arm/shoulder issues, raises questions about his long-term durability and ability to stay healthy at the MLB level. The Cubs will be closely monitoring Horton's visit with the specialist as they determine the best course of action to get him back on the mound.