The Chicago Cubs played the wild card series against the San Diego Padres without rookie standout pitcher Cade Horton, and now they'll have to play the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers without him as well.
Cubs' manager Craig Counsel announced on Friday afternoon Horton will not be active during the NLDS, according to the Marquee Sports Network.
Horton left his final start of the season on Sept. 23, after just 29 pitches. After the game, there was concern around Horton's health because of the short outing, and then four days later he was placed on the injured list.
Cubs Won't Have Horton in NLDS
Horton was placed on the 15-day IL with a right rib fracture on Sept. 27, which was retroactive to Sept. 25. The Cubs made it through the wild card round without their phenomenal rookie, and now will have to play the Brewers in the NLDS without him as well.
Counsel said Horton is continuing to recover from his rib injury and his availability for later in the playoffs, if the Cubs advance, is still in question.
Cade Horton has an almost identical stat line to 2015 Jake Arrieta post All-Star break 😳 pic.twitter.com/oZLz3nalV3
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) September 17, 2025
This a massive blow to the Cubs pitching staff. Matthew Boyd has been their ace all year long, but Horton was right there with him. In fact, in the second half of the season, Horton was one of the best pitchers in the MLB.
The Cubs' rookie had the best ERA in the MLB post All-Star break at 1.03 and covered 61.1 innings.
In his first 11 starts after the All-Star break, Horton joined Bob Gibson as the only two pitchers in MLB history to earn at least eight wins with six or fewer runs allowed over an 11-start span in a single season.
The 15 Most Impressive Rookies of 2025
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) October 2, 2025
9. Cade Horton (RHP-CHC)
118 IP, 2.67 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 6.9% BB, 20.8% K
Horton had a ridiculous 1.03 ERA over his final 12 outings (61.1 IP) of the season and finished T-4th in fWAR for rookie pitchers.#BeHereForItpic.twitter.com/wZ1zwDUP21
However, Horton stellar second half didn't come out of nowhere, his full-season rookie numbers are quite impressive as well. The Cubs' youngster ended the year with a 2.67 ERA, and a 1.08 WHIP across 118 innings pitched. Horton also had just a 6.9 percent walk rate and a 20.8 percent strikeout rate.
The Cubs' rookie put together a special season, but now he'll miss Chicago's second straight playoff series. It's a huge blow, and now the Cubs will have to lean heavier on Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Collin Rea.