Chicago Cubs might not start Cade Horton against Mets after all, per insider

On Friday, the Chicago Cubs made a “tough” decision to call up rookie pitcher Cade Horton from Iowa before their three-game series against the New York Mets starting on Friday. The Cubs needed an extra arm after they placed starting pitcher Shota Imanaga on the 15-day injured list for a mild hamstring strain.

With an ERA of 1.24 in six outings, Horton appeared as the best option for Chicago to call up to the majors from Triple-A. It was assumed Horton would take over Imanaga’s role as the starting pitcher for Saturday night’s game against the Mets, but Jon Morosi of MLB Network suggested the Cubs might have a different plan this weekend.

The Chicago Cubs have a decision to make on Cade Horton

Morosi is worried about Horton’s walk rate in Iowa this season. He’s recorded 33 strikeouts and 13 walks in 29 innings pitched in 2025. Morosi told 670 The Score on Thursday that Cubs manager Craig Counsell might start another pitcher and bring in Horton to do the “bulk” of the pitching later in the contest.

“I’m a little little concerned about the number of walks, and I think that’s going to be the big question,” Morosi said. “The Mets are now a lineup that really grinds at-bats very well. And so what I’ll be curious to see, and this is something I’ve been talking to people about during the course of the day, the Cubs might actually have him pitch Saturday, but not start.

“That’s an important distinction, where they may actually use an opener first before Horton comes into the game as the ‘bulk guy, ‘ quote, unquote.

“Is that an easier way to get into a game in New York?  It’s a tough place to make your debut against one of the better teams in all a Major League Baseball, so I do think there may be some strategy involved for Craig Counsell and how they’re going to potentially work Horton into that game.”

.@jonmorosi is high on Cubs right-hander Cade Horton but is a little concerned about his walk rate as a tough matchup against the Mets looms this weekend. pic.twitter.com/ul8uHXcVn9

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) May 8, 2025

As of Friday morning, the Cubs have not announced a starter for Saturday’s game.

The Mets will have right-handed pitcher Tylor Megill on the mound. He has a 3-2 record and an ERA of 2.50. He’s tied for the 27th-most strkeouts with 45 strikeouts.

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