Cubs right-hander Cade Horton to undergo season-ending elbow surgery

(104.3 The Score) Cubs right-hander Cade Horton is headed for season-ending elbow surgery.

Horton has a UCL injury in his right pitching arm that will require surgery, according to multiple reports Tuesday afternoon. A second opinion with Dr. Keith Meister confirmed the injury. Details on the type of surgery that Horton will undergo weren’t immediately revealed.

Horton, 24, was the runner-up in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2025, when he went 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 23 appearances, including 22 starts.

Horton exited in the second inning of Chicago’s loss at Cleveland on Friday due to right forearm discomfort. He had a 2.45 ERA in 7 1/3 innings in two starts this season.

The Cubs viewed Horton as their budding ace in the rotation. He was the No. 7 overall pick of the team in the 2022 MLB Draft.

The Cubs recently recalled right-hander Javier Assad to the big leagues. He will start for the Cubs at the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday evening. The team has also turned to right-hander Colin Rea as a starter after he had been in the bullpen.