Porter Hodge's UCL Surgery: Cubs Bullpen's Next Hurdle

0:00It's April 17th. This is MLB News today, AI-powered stories from around the league. I'm Cory with the story. Chicago Cubs reliever Porter Hodge is facing elbow surgery on his own arcolateral ligament, sidelining him for the entire 2026 season, and probably into 2027. He started this year on the injured list with an elbow strain and has not pitched since, so expect him to shift to the 60-day list soon to free up. Hodge flashed Big Potential last year in 2024, dominating with high strikeouts and closing games, but 2025 brought struggles from injuries like an oblique strain and shoulder issue, spiking his ERA. This is hard for the Cubs pitching staff, already hammered by Tommy John Surgery's for Cade Horton and Justin Steele's ongoing recovery, plus other. Arms like Matthew Boyd and Jordan Wicks on the shelf. Right now, their bullpen leans on guys like Daniel Palencia, Ben Brown and Caleb Thielbar

1:00with more depth possibly returning soon, but they will. Grind through without Hodge's fire next year.