Meghan Montemurro talks impact of Cubs losing Cade Horton to elbow injury

The Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show discusses the significant blow to the Chicago Cubs following the news that starting pitcher Cade Horton will undergo elbow surgery and miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to UCL damage. Cubs beat writer Megan Montemuro joins the show to break down the impact, emphasizing that while the team has depth in starting pitching—highlighting Colin Gray, Javier Assad, and others—losing Horton, who was considered among the top young arms in the rotation, is a major setback, especially for postseason contention. Montemuro notes that the Cubs' strong underlying offensive metrics, such as hard-hit rate and walk frequency, offer optimism that the offense can carry the team through the regular season, even as they adjust to lineup changes and the absence of key players like Seiya Suzuki, who is expected to return soon. The discussion also covers bullpen volatility, with Phil Maton struggling and Hunter Harvey being carefully managed due to injury history, and offers cautious hope for Matthew Boyd’s return from the IL after a bicep strain. Overall, the episode balances concern over injuries with confidence in the team’s depth and offensive potential. Key takeaways include: 1) Cade Horton’s injury is a major blow to the Cubs’ playoff hopes due to lost elite pitching depth; 2) The team’s offense, despite early struggles, shows strong underlying metrics and can sustain performance through the season; 3) Manager Craig Counsell’s flexible lineup approach, especially with leadoff hitters like Nico Hoerner and upcoming return of Seiya Suzuki, will be crucial; 4) Bullpen management remains a work in progress, with a focus on workload and recovery; 5) Matthew Boyd’s return is expected within two weeks, offering a timely boost. The tone is cautiously optimistic, acknowledging setbacks while emphasizing resilience and long-term potential.