<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-craig-counsell-gives-cade-horton-update-after-pain-free-declaration');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Craig Counsell gives Cade Horton update after pain-free declaration');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Chicago-Cubs-starting-pitcher-Cade-Horton.jpg"><figcaption>Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs’ Craig Counsell gives Cade Horton update after pain-free declaration</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-08T12:32:02-07:00">October 8th, 12:32pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-08T12:32:02-07:00">October 8th, 12:32pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs enter Game 3 of the National League Divisional Series with their backs against the wall. Cubs manager Craig Counsell watched his pitching staff give up 16 runs across the first two games. Down 2-0, the team is back in Chicago to host the next two games of the playoff series. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-cade-horton-placed-il-throwing-session-doesnt-go-well">health of Cade Horton</a> could change the complexion of the matchup moving forward.</p><p>Horton has been recovering from a fractured rib since the playoffs began. Counsell’s ace has yet to pitch in a postseason game this year, robbing the Cubs of their best arm. If Chicago can force a Game 5 in the NLDS, Horton could get the nod to start against Milwaukee. However, the Cubs need to beat the Brewers twice in order to send the series back to Milwaukee this weekend.</p><p>Counsell offered an update on Horton’s progress before Game 3 kicked off on Wednesday. According to Chicago Sun-Times writer Maddie Lee, the veteran manager <a href="https://x.com/maddie_m_lee/status/1975975881027043569" rel="noopener">is optimistic about his recovery</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“At this moment, I am pain-free.”</p><p>Cade Horton on his fractured rib. <a href="https://t.co/pAubaeiXm9">pic.twitter.com/pAubaeiXm9</a></p><p>— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) <a href="https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1975660940314997005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“At this moment I am pain-free,” Horton said. “Really not trying to still push it, but for right now I am feeling good.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-rookie-makes-franchise-history-scoreless-streak">Horton set records during his first year</a> in the major leagues. He quickly climbed up the ladder in Counsell’s rotation, becoming the ace before the playoffs began. His absence has put more pressure on Matthew Boyd and the rest of the starters, throwing Counsell’s schedule off in the process.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs’ Craig Counsell gives Cade Horton update after pain-free declaration

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-jed-hoyer-explains-cade-horton-il-decision');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jed Hoyer explains what led Cubs to Cade Horton IL decision');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cade-Horton-of-the-Chicago-Cubs.jpg"><figcaption>Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Jed Hoyer explains what led Cubs to Cade Horton IL decision</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-27T15:09:10-07:00">September 27th, 3:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-27T15:09:10-07:00">September 27th, 3:09pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs announced on Saturday that starting pitcher <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-cade-horton-placed-il-throwing-session-doesnt-go-well">Cade Horton was placed on the 15-day IL</a> with a non-displaced rib fracture. It’s a brutal blow for the NL Rookie of the Year favorite, especially with the playoffs right around the corner.</p><p>Not long after the club announced Horton’s injury status, President of Baseball Operations and general manager Jed Hoyer shared more details about what led to the IL decision. Hoyer admitted that after seeing the 24-year-old pitcher throw on Saturday, there was no way for Horton to play <a href="https://x.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1972013189652271286" rel="noopener">without changing his mechanics</a>, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.</p><p>Hoyer also revealed that Horton had been <a href="https://x.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1972019219026903304" rel="noopener">dealing with a sickness</a> that had him suffering from a cough that may have played a part in injuring Hoyer’s ribs. Overall, it appears the Cubs are not entirely sure what caused Horton to experience a non-displaced rib fracture.</p><p>“When he threw today, it was clear there was no way to pitch without changing mechanics,” said Jed Hoyer. “The honest answer is I don’t think we know [what generated the injury]. He was sick in Cincinnati. With that, there was coughing. Whether that did it or not, we don’t know. There was no acute event that we know of, just that his ribs were sore.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/3-cubs-who-will-make-or-break-world-series-chances">The Cubs already clinched a Wild Card spot</a> in the MLB Playoffs. However, with Cade Horton on the 15-day IL, the team will be without one of its top pitchers for the beginning portion of the offseason. Horton ends his rookie campaign owning a 2.67 ERA and 1.085 WHIP while recording 97 strikeouts through 118.0 innings pitched.</p><p>Chicago will have to utilize a starting rotation consisting of Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea, Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad, and Jameson Tailon. There is a chance Cade Horton returns. But that will largely depend on the Cubs remaining in the playoffs for longer than the Wild Card round.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jed Hoyer explains what led Cubs to Cade Horton IL decision

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-cade-horton-placed-il-throwing-session-doesnt-go-well');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Cade Horton placed on IL after throwing session doesn’t go well');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cade-Horton-with-Chicago-Cubs.jpg"><figcaption>David Banks-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs’ Cade Horton placed on IL after throwing session doesn’t go well</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-27T10:58:16-07:00">September 27th, 10:58am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-27T11:55:56-07:00">September 27th, 11:55am</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Beyond being the National League Rookie of the Year favorite and a potential franchise pillar, Cade Horton was considered a huge part of the Chicago Cubs’ 2025 playoff plans. That no longer appears to be the case. The right-handed starting pitcher has been <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1971994938683343107" rel="noopener">placed on the 15-day injured list</a> with a non-displaced rib fracture, per MLB insider Jon Heyman.</p><p>Considering how impressive Horton has been this season, and how much Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have struggled in September, there was a realistic possibility the 24-year-old would start Game 1 of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-news-padres-cubs-nl-wild-card-matchup">the National League Wild card Series</a> versus the San Diego Padres. Worst-case scenario, this rising talent would take the mound later in the best-of-three showdown. Both scenarios are now off the table.</p><p>This devastating news comes after Horton did not respond well to his throwing session. He exited Tuesday’s game against the New York Mets with back tightness after pitching just three innings. Upon further examination, manager <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-cade-horton-a-go-after-mri-results-show-areas-concern">Craig Counsell revealed there were some concerns</a> about the young hurler’s rib area. The Cubs clinched a playoff berth over a week ago, but it looks as if they will be limping into October.</p><p>If Horton is unable to pitch again in 2025, or if Chicago is eliminated before he has the chance, he will still have given fans much to be excited about moving forward. The former top-10 draft pick posted an 11-4 record with a 2.67 ERA, 97 strikeouts and 1.085 WHIP in 22 starts this season. He showed poise well beyond his years, serving as a stabilizing force while the Cubbies lumbered through some tough stretches. Now, this ballclub must lean on its veterans.</p><h2><b>Will Cubs overcome all the adversity in their way?</b></h2><p>Luckily, Kyle Tucker just returned from an IL stint. The star outfielder and the rest of the lineup must reclaim their first-half form and find a way to lift the pitching staff during a highly anticipated Wild Card matchup. There is no time to lament the Cade Horton injury. It is more important than ever for the Cubs (90-70) to clinch the No. 4 seed in the NL and secure home-field advantage versus the Padres (88-72).</p><p>Otherwise, a bad weekend could spill into the new week and end the season on a sour note.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs’ Cade Horton placed on IL after throwing session doesn’t go well

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-cade-horton-a-go-after-mri-results-show-areas-concern');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Cade Horton a ‘go’ after MRI results show ‘areas of concern’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cubs-rookie-righty-Cade-Horton-pitches-vs.-Pirates.jpg"><figcaption>Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs’ Cade Horton a ‘go’ after MRI results show ‘areas of concern’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-25T17:20:25-07:00">September 25th, 5:20pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-25T17:20:37-07:00">September 25th, 5:20pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton is not just the favorite to win the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/why-cubs-cade-horton-will-win-nl-rookie-of-the-year-award">National League Rookie of the Year award</a>. He is a potential X-factor during the 2025 MLB playoffs. With a best-of-three Wild Card clash with the San Diego Padres awaiting — venue not yet known — the team will need as many impactful arms as possible. Horton’s health looms large, however. <a href="https://x.com/sahadevsharma/status/1971332371082527007" rel="noopener">The latest update</a> regarding the young right-hander, as provided by the manager, will leave fans a bit uneasy.</p><p>“Craig Counsell says ‘right now Cade is a go,'” Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reported on Thursday. “Says Horton is ‘on track still’ but there are some ‘areas of concern’ in the rib area. Will continue to get info and have more docs look at the MRI (no more tests will be run). He’s expected to throw tomorrow after taking two days off.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-craig-counsell-cade-horton-pulled-early-back-injury-mets">Horton exited Tuesday’s start</a> versus the New York Mets due to back tightness and illness, raising some questions about his ability to pitch effectively in the postseason. His importance to the Cubs’ October aspirations cannot be overstated, so fans desperately want to know if he will be ready for the Padres. Counsell’s comments, while encouraging in text, leave the door open for a potentially costly setback.</p><p>Chicago will hopefully have a clearer idea of Horton’s status based on how his Friday throwing session goes.</p><h2><b>Cade Horton has been huge for Cubs </b></h2><p>Even though the Cubbies (89-69) are already <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-craig-counsell-details-playoff-celebration-cincinnati">locked into a playoff slot</a>, few things have come easy during the second half of the season. They endured losing skids and concerning individual slumps while watching the Milwaukee Brewers take complete control of the division and NL as a whole. This ballclub is not entering the postseason with much momentum, nor is it a trendy pick to reach the World Series. But an active and healthy Cade Horton gives Chicago vital length in its starting rotation.</p><p>The No. 7 overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft has quickly morphed into a difference-making hurler, recording a 2.67 ERA with 97 strikeouts, a 1.085 WHIP and .615 OPS allowed in 118 innings pitched this season. Since both Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd are weathering September struggles, Horton will be incredibly important during the remainder of the 2025 campaign.</p><p>The Cubs also expect him to be a crucial component of their long-term plans, however, so they may want to handle him carefully. Fans should be in a jubilant mood right now, but instead, they have to pray to the baseball gods for a favorable medical diagnosis. Such is life in the North Side.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs’ Cade Horton a ‘go’ after MRI results show ‘areas of concern’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-craig-counsell-cade-horton-pulled-early-back-injury-mets');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Craig Counsell reveals why Cade Horton was pulled early from Mets game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cubs-pitcher-Cade-Horton.jpg"><figcaption>David Banks-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs’ Craig Counsell reveals why Cade Horton was pulled early from Mets game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-24T07:04:39-07:00">September 24th, 7:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-24T07:04:39-07:00">September 24th, 7:04am</time><address><a>Jason Patt</a>Jason Patt started as an editor at ClutchPoints in 2018 and became the Editorial Director in 2022. He also co-hosts Cash Considerations: A Chicago Bulls Podcast for the Blue Wire Network.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Less than a week ago, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/why-cubs-craig-counsell-is-all-about-champagne-celebrations-for-clinching-playoffs">Chicago Cubs clinched a playoff berth</a> and looked like they were going to cruise to the top NL Wild Card spot. Five straight losses later, the Cubs are just 1.5 games ahead of the San Diego Padres and are dealing with multiple health issues, with Rookie of the Year candidate Cade Horton the latest concern.</p><p>Horton was yanked after just three innings in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-mets/mets-news-francisco-alvarez-edwin-diaz-shine-massive-win-cubs">Chicago’s brutal 9-7 loss to the New York Mets</a> on Tuesday. Horton left with the Cubs up 5-1, and that lead would grow to 6-1 before a bullpen collapse resulted in the fifth straight loss. It was unclear at first why the rookie was pulled early, but then it came out that he was dealing with back tightness and <a href="https://x.com/taylor_mcgregor/status/1970661217313210690?s=46" rel="noopener">left the game as a precaution</a>.</p><p>Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed this after the game and also added that Horton had been sick the last few days. Due to the combination of the back issue and the illness, Chicago <a href="https://x.com/amartinez_11/status/1970683691098677258" rel="noopener">“pulled the plug”</a> on Horton’s start, per Marquee Sports Network’s Andy Martinez.</p><p>It’s just another problem for the Cubs to deal with as they limp to the finish line. In addition to Horton, Chicago has been patiently waiting the return of star Kyle Tucker, who hasn’t played since Sept. 2 due to a nagging calf injury that has healed much slower than expected. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-no-idea-when-kyle-tucker-injury">There’s still hope that Tucker will be back</a> in time for the playoffs, but time is running out.</p><p>Closer Daniel Palencia has also been out with an injury, throwing a wrench into the bullpen, <a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/chicago-cubs-injury-updates-kyle-tucker-daniel-palencia-mlb-playoffs/" rel="noopener">though he’s expected back soon</a>. One of the Cubs’ top starters, Justin Steele, suffered a season-ending injury early in the year.</p><h2><b>Cade Horton has been electric</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cubs-starting-pitcher-Cade-Horton-22-delivers-a-pitch.-1.jpg"><figcaption>Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Regardless of whether the Cubs finish with the No. 4 or No. 5 seed in the playoffs, Horton is almost certainly in line to get a start in the NL Wild Card Round. The 24-year-old is 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 118 innings this season, and he has been legitimately dominant in the second half. He’s 8-1 with a minuscule 1.03 ERA since the All-Star break.</p><p>It doesn’t seem as if this injury is serious, but hearing “back tightness” less than a week before the playoffs is scary. Chicago is hoping Horton will be good to go and that the team can hold that top Wild Card spot, which would give them a home playoff series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	WINS
9	3.00	2	1.33	0

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	WINS
9	3.00	2	1.33	0

Cade Horton

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