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Chicago Cubs news and notes — Hoerner, PCA, Imanaga, Palancia, Horton, Giolito, Busch, Ramirez, Conforto, Taillon, Boyd
TL;DR
The Chicago Cubs are dealing with several player injuries and performance issues, including Cade Horton’s Tommy John surgery and the search for a new closer. Meanwhile, Michael Conforto and other players are under scrutiny as the team navigates a challenging season.
Key points
- Cade Horton has undergone Tommy John surgery.
- Daniel Palencia is injured, prompting a search for a new closer.
- Michael Conforto is showing strong offensive metrics despite a slow start.
- Matthew Boyd is on a rehab assignment and may return soon.
Cade HortonDaniel PalenciaMichael ConfortoMatthew Boyd
At the moment, I’m not on the IL. I am, however, perpetually listed day-to-day.
- Matt Sullivan (Sporting News): Who is Cubs’ new closer? Chicago has replacement plan for injured Daniel Palencia. “Caleb Thielbar, the 39-year-old lefty veteran who has some closing experience in his career, is an option. Hoby Milner, another veteran lefty, doesn’t have much closing experience, but it’s not completely foreign. Jacob Webb? Ben Brown?”
- Matt Sullivan (Sporting News): Cubs reveal 2027 timeline for Cade Horton after Tommy John surgery. “”Cubs Cade Horton had his elbow surgery,” Rogers reports. “Looking at a 15-16 month recovery, per Craig Counsell. Horton being out 15-16 months means that, beyond simply missing the rest of the 2026 MLB season, he’s also going to miss the first few months of the 2027 season.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Cubs Could Be Only Option for Giolito, Who Might Settle for Discounted One-Year Deal. ““The two teams linked are the Padres and the Cubs,” Jon Heyman told 104.3 The Score on Thursday. “Now, the Padres are creative, but they have zero money. So it’s not gonna be easy to sign a free agent of that ilk with zero money. So, of the two teams linked, [the Cubs]’re the only one who has a dime, so they probably have a shot at Giolito.”
Q&A
What is Cade Horton's recovery timeline after Tommy John surgery?
Cade Horton is expected to have a recovery timeline of 15-16 months following his Tommy John surgery.
Who will replace Daniel Palencia as the Cubs' closer?
Caleb Thielbar and Hoby Milner are among the options being considered to replace the injured Daniel Palencia as the Cubs' closer.
How is Michael Conforto performing this season?
Michael Conforto has a wRC+ of 137 despite a slow start, indicating he has been effective overall.
What is the current status of Matthew Boyd's rehab assignment?
Matthew Boyd has begun his rehab assignment and could return to the Cubs' rotation as early as next week.