Cubs RHP Cade Horton (forearm) headed to IL

Field Level Media|published: 04/03/2026, 9:52pm EDT

Apr 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs right-handed starter Cade Horton will be placed on the injured list after leaving his start against the host Cleveland Guardians after one-plus inning and 17 pitches.

Horton was removed with what the team called right forearm discomfort. After retiring the side in order in the first inning, he walked Kyle Manzardo on five pitches to open the second before leaving the game with the Cubs' head trainer.

"I had some tightness in my wrist and as the game went on, it went into my forearm," Horton said. "I wanted to err on the cautious side and not hurt anything else. I just wanted to be smart about it and make a smart decision."

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Horton would return to Chicago for imaging and an IL stint would be required.

Horton lowered his ERA to 2.45 Friday after he yielded two runs in 6 1/3 innings in the Cubs' 10-2 win over the Washington Nationals on March 28. It is the 24-year-old's second season in the major leagues.

The Cubs went on to lose 4-1 to Cleveland. Colin Rea took over when Horton left and pitched the next 3 1/3 innings, yielding just one run, but Hunter Harvey (0-1) gave up two late homers.

--Field Level Media