Cubs' Cade Horton Placed on IL with Rib Injury, Out Until NLDS Game 5 in MLB Playoffs
The Chicago Cubs got bad news about Cade Horton's injury leading into the start of the postseason next week.
On Saturday, the Cubs announced Horton has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a fractured right rib.
ESPN's Jesse Rogers noted the earliest Horton will be eligible to return is a potential Game 5 in the National League Division Series.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post added that Horton's rib fracture is non-displaced.
Former Cub Cody Bellinger sustained two fractured ribs when he crashed into a wall making a catch during a game against the Houston Astros on April 23, 2024. He only missed 13 games before returning to the lineup on May 7.
Horton left his most recent start on Tuesday against the New York Mets after three innings. The team said at the time it was a precautionary measure due to back tightness and a recent illness he was recovering from.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Thursday that Horton's MRI showed "some areas of concern" in his ribs, but as of that moment, he was "still a go" to pitch in the wild-card round.
Counsell went on to say that Horton, who was scheduled to resume throwing on Friday, remained "adamant he can pitch."
The Cubs have already clinched a playoff spot, but their seeding still has to be settled. They can secure the No. 4 seed and home-field advantage in the wild-card round with either one win or one loss by the San Diego Padres in the final two games of the regular season.
The postseason begins on Tuesday with the best-of-three wild card series. A potential NLDS Game 5 would be played on Oct. 11.
Horton likely would have been Chicago's Game 1 starter in the wild-card series. The 24-year-old, who is the NL Rookie of the Year favorite, ranks 10th in ERA (2.53) among all pitchers who have thrown at least 110 innings this season.
With Horton unavailable for the wild-card round, the Cubs will likely use Matthew Boyd and Shōta Imanaga as their top two starters, with Colin Rea or Jameson Taillon going in a potential Game 3 if necessary.
