Cubs' Horton Out, Cubs Scramble for Stability

0:00It's April 17th. This is MLB News today, AI Power Stories shaping the season. Cubs' Ridicade Horton just got tough news. He's got a torn, all-nar collateral ligament in his elbow and needs surgery, sidelining him for the rest of. The 2026 season. Manager Craig Council broke it to reporters and Horton shifts from the 15-day injure list to the 60-day soon. Coming off a breakout 2025, Horton topped Prospect Type with 118 innings pitched and a sharp 2.67 ERA. He earned second place in National League Rookie of the Year voting, grabbing full service time credit and hitting the two-year mark, even on the shelf. He turns 25 in August. This hits the Cubs' rotation hard, thinning their starters to Edward Cabrera, James in Thailand, and show to Imanaga after losing Matthew Boy to a minor, bicep strain. Fans filled a pinch as the team scrambles for stability early in the year. Caviar Asad got recalled quick and starts today, with Swingman Colin Ria, likely tomorrow.

1:05Justin Steele rehabs from his own UCL fix last year, eyeing a late May return, while Prospects like Jackson Wiggins, Battle Command woes, and Vets Kyle. Right and Vince Velasquez shake off rust. Surgery type will shape Horton's comeback. Full Tommy John means 14 plus months out, or an internal brace could speed it up. Cubs dig deep from death now, plotting their mound path forward.