Chicago Cubs: Cade Horton wants in, Counsell offers clarity on playoff comeback

The Chicago Cubs may have evened up the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t still walking a pitching tightrope with zero margin for error.

Heading into the series-deciding Game Five at American Family Field in Milwaukee, the Cubs are facing the same pitching dilemma they’ve faced throughout the postseason– How to get the best from their limited starting pitching options.

A week before starting the Wild Card Series with the San Diego Padres, rookie phenom Cade Horton went down with a fractured rib. The 24-year-old had dazzled over the second half of the season, going 8-1 and posting a mind-boggling 1.03 ERA since the All-Star break.

Losing their most effective starter just days before the playoffs began had the potential to be a team death blow. To the Cubs’ credit, though, they’ve pushed through and have managed to get by without Horton’s dominant presence.

Can Cade Horton pitch in the playoffs?

Still, there’s hope that maybe, possibly the Rookie of the Year candidate could still see some action this postseason.

Technically, Horton was eligible to be activated off the IL on Friday, but few thought that would actually happen. Instead, the former Cubs no. 1 draft pick pitched his second bullpen session, going two simulated innings.

Manager Craig Counsell would immediately shut down the fringe whispers about Horton possibly coming back for Saturday’s game in Milwaukee.

“No,” Counsell told media, flat and cold, when asked about the possibility.

But what if the Cubs beat the Brewers and move on to the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers?

Horton wants to be part of the Chicago Cubs postseason

Horton, himself, is working under the assumption that a postseason return is still in the cards.

This past Tuesday, he pitched his first real bullpen session and felt good enough to double down on his feeling that 2025 isn’t over for him.

“At this moment, I’m pain-free,” Horton told reporters before the workout. “Really not trying to push it. But for right now, I’m feeling good.”

“Absolutely, I think that’s the plan,” Horton replied, when asked about pitching this postseason. “That’s kind of why we’re getting on the mound today and progressing as normal.

“I plan to just throw a normal bullpen. Obviously, I’m not going to be in there throwing upper 90s, but, yeah, just normal bullpen day.”

The road back

Horton had been keeping his stamina up during his down time by throwing from his knees, being careful to not put too much stress on his ribs. From there, he went on to play light catch, always working with the idea that he’d be back.

“Everything’s been smooth,” Horton affirmed. “So just continuing to build off that.”

He’s also been chomping at the bit to be a part of this compelling playoff run.

“It sucks, but [I’m] just trying to be the best teammate I can,” Horton said. “It’s been fun watching the guys. We still got some baseball to play. Just one day at a time and being the best teammate I can be.”

Realistically, it’s not very likely that he’d be ready for Monday’s NLCS if the Cubs get by the Brewers on Saturday. There’s always the World Series after that, though.

But, first, the Cubs actually have to beat the Brewers in Milwaukee– and that’s a decidedly tall order.

From there, everyone can start talking Cade Horton once again.

The post Chicago Cubs: Cade Horton wants in, Counsell offers clarity on playoff comeback appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-cade-horton-injury-return