Cade Horton is done for season, White Sox demote Shane Smith to Triple-A (Hour 4)

The Mully & Haugh Show delves into major developments across Chicago baseball, starting with the White Sox's decision to option Shane Smith to Triple-A Charlotte after three underwhelming starts marked by poor command despite strong stuff and strikeouts. The discussion highlights concerns over Smith's ability to pitch deep into games and questions the team's use of Grant Taylor as an opener, with hosts expressing frustration over the lack of clarity in his role. On the Cubs front, the episode centers on the devastating news that Cade Horton will miss the entire season due to a season-ending elbow injury, a significant blow to their rotation. The hosts reflect on the emotional toll of such losses, drawing parallels to past setbacks like Justin Steele and Kyle Schwarber, while emphasizing the resilience required in professional sports. They praise the team’s depth, particularly the emergence of Assad and Ray, and discuss internal options like Ben Brown and Jackson Wiggins, as well as potential external moves involving players like Lucas Giolito or Marcus Stroman—though they ultimately dismiss those as impractical given current timelines. The segment also touches on the Bulls' front-office shakeup, with mixed reactions to Michael Reinsdorf’s news conference and the ongoing debate around Billy Donovan’s future as head coach, underscoring the tension between organizational stability and fan expectations.