Cubs reveal 2027 timeline for Cade Horton after Tommy John surgery

Cubs reveal 2027 timeline for Cade Horton after Tommy John surgery originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Cubs were dealt some crushing news early this season with the announcement of Cade Horton's season-ending injury.

It's a big blow to the Cubs' rotation this season, and with Tommy John surgery, Horton is going to miss a lot of time, including into the 2027 season.

Craig Counsell told reporters, including ESPN's Jess Rogers, that Horton, the young lefty, will have a recovery timeline with 15-16 months in the future during the 2027 MLB season.

Cubs' Cade Horton gets a 15-16 month recovery timeline

"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.

If he returned at the absolutely earliest part of this window, then Horton's return could come in June of 2027.

But that's in the best-case scenario based on the announced recovery timeline. He might take until July, or even August or longer, depending on how his rehab goes.

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It's an unfortunate blow for Horton and the Cubs, who were off to an incredible start to his big league career, which began in 2025 and saw him finish runner-up in the NL Rookie of the Year race.

He posted a 2.45 ERA this season before the injury, and last year he had a 2.67 ERA in 22 starts (23 games).