Chicago Cubs’ promising right-handed pitcher Cade Horton recently sought the expertise of a specialist in Texas after an MRI scan revealed a strain in his right arm. The 24-year-old hurler traveled to Arlington to consult with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, aiming to assess the extent of his injury and determine the best course of action for recovery.
This medical visit came shortly after Horton was placed on the 15-day injured list, a move that was made retroactive to the previous Saturday. The decision followed his early departure from a start against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, where he managed just over one inning and threw 17 pitches before exiting the game. Despite retiring the side in order during the first inning, Horton left after walking Kyle Manzardo at the start of the second inning due to discomfort.
Horton described the progression of his symptoms, noting that he initially felt tightness in his wrist, which then extended into his forearm as the game continued. Prioritizing his long-term health, he chose to step away from the mound to avoid exacerbating the injury. “I wanted to err on the cautious side and not hurt anything else. I just wanted to make a smart decision,” Horton explained.
Notably, Horton had been performing well this season, lowering his ERA to an impressive 2.45 after allowing two runs over 6 1/3 innings in a March 28 victory against the Washington Nationals. As a first-round draft pick, selected seventh overall in 2022, Horton had an outstanding rookie campaign last year, finishing with an 11-4 record and a 2.67 ERA across 23 games (22 starts). His strong performance earned him second place in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, highlighting his potential as a key player for the Cubs moving forward.
