Chicago Cubs rookie Cade Horton is on a plane to Texas for a second medical opinion after an MRI on his right forearm was described in reporting as “not good.” Horton left his April 3 start with right forearm tightness and landed on the 15-day injured list while the club waits for more detailed imaging. It is an early-season gut punch for a starter who finished last year on a high note.
Report: MRI ‘Not Clean’ - Specialist Visit On Tap
According to WGN-TV, ESPN Chicago reporter Jesse Rogers said Horton’s MRI “was not good” and “not clean,” and that the right-hander is headed to Texas to be evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister. That kind of phrasing has raised understandable concern that the issue could be more serious than a routine forearm strain, although the final word will hinge on the specialist’s examination and any follow-up imaging.
Team Response And Next Steps
The Cubs moved quickly, placing Horton on the 15-day injured list after he exited the April 3 game in Cleveland. Manager Craig Counsell said the club would send Horton back to Chicago for imaging before deciding on a plan, according to the Associated Press. That timetable gives the front office a window to secure a second opinion and sort out whether Horton’s forearm problem can be handled with rest and rehab or if it points to a longer stay on the shelf.
Injury History And What It Means
Horton’s medical file is not exactly thin. CBS Sports notes he underwent Tommy John surgery in February 2021 while pitching at Oklahoma. Later, an MRI late last season revealed a fractured right rib and “areas of concern,” as reported by MLB.com. That setback wiped out his postseason availability and now looms over the latest round of forearm imaging.
Rotation Impact
The timing could hardly be worse for Chicago. Left-hander Matthew Boyd hit the 15-day injured list earlier this week with a left biceps strain, leaving the rotation thin, per ESPN. The Cubs do have in-house options, including the possibility of recalling Javier Assad, but Horton’s prognosis will dictate whether they are looking at a short patch job or a more permanent rotation reshuffle.
For now, Horton’s timeline rests on what comes out of that Texas evaluation and any additional tests that follow. The Cubs say they will share updates once the specialist’s exam is complete and the findings are reviewed. Until then, Chicago is staring at a stretch of unwelcome uncertainty on the pitching front while it waits for clarity on one of its key young arms.
