Cade Horton set to debut for Chicago Cubs amid injury struggles

In New York, rising star Cade Horton will make his anticipated major league debut for the Chicago Cubs. This 22-year-old right-hander, drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in 2022, is poised to take the mound this Saturday against the New York Mets. Horton's journey has been marked by significant challenges, including a right lat injury that limited his play last season and forced him into a more extended recovery phase. Before recovering and earning a call-up, Horton demonstrated his pitching prowess at Triple-A Iowa, where he posted an impressive 2-1 record along with a 1.24 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 29 innings. His consistent performance includes allowing one run or fewer in each of his first six starts, showcasing a remarkable improvement and readiness for this crucial step in his career. Manager Craig Counsell highlighted Horton as the best pitcher at Iowa, emphasizing that his recent success has earned him this opportunity at the major league level. Counsell also indicated that Horton would be replacing Shota Imanaga, currently on the injured list. The Cubs, needing to bolster their rotation given the loss of all-star pitchers Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga, see this as a crucial moment for Horton to prove himself. Having completed a strong spring training and gained valuable experiences, Horton is well-prepared to become the seventh player selected in the first round of the 2022 amateur draft to enter the majors. As he steps onto the mound, the Cubs organization and fans will be watching closely to see how this young talent can contribute in light of the team's ongoing challenges with injuries to key pitching staff members.