CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Is Horton left out here, or just a longer recovery? I've forgotten how long he's supposed to be out or how long to get back to form.
••• 2026 Official Chicago Cubs Thread •••
- Thread starter Cyforce
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Is Horton left out here, or just a longer recovery? I've forgotten how long he's supposed to be out or how long to get back to form.
That is what worries me, they give up their future to try to get into the wildcard spot and then it's a one and done. Hopefully as a Cards fan they stick to the plan and rebuild it from the ground up, which so far is going well.
I think the thought is it will be similar to the Steele situation this year. Should be back at some point but can’t count on him early in 2027.
I'd be surprised if he pitches at all in 2027. This is not the first elbow surgery hes had so I would bet they slow walk his rehab given his past. Too much at stake for a guy they are hoping to be a big part of the future there is no need to rush him back. If he does somehow pitch in 2027 may have to be out of the bullpen.
Yea, don't feel they need a platoon option for Busch because he's hitting lefties just as good as righties.
But there are some LH relievers that just destroy LH hitters. So it would be nice for Counsell to have a righty in those clutch late game situations. Also a guy who can spell Busch occasionally. Plus if Shaw is a trade piece, the Cubs could use a RH bench bat.
And worst case, Busch goes on 15 day IL during a tight stretch run- who plays 1B? Carson Kelly. Just feel Hoyer needs to have his eye open.
I think if Busch went on the IL (position players are only 10 day minimum BTW) you might see Johnathon Long get a call up or they even play Mo there. If Mo was back up then Kelly or Amaya could even cover 1B too and still have some insurance at catcher with Mo on the roster. Guessing that they are comfortable with what they have seen with Busch so far this year and their options if he did get hurt otherwise would have seen some movement by now either trying some guys at 1B to give him some rest or calling someone up to face LHP. Probably some cheap stop gap option out there they could pick up on the cheap too if Busch did get hurt. 1B is not a hard place to find a guy even if he's not an elite bat there is usually some guy available that can fill the spot in a pinch.
I would like to see what Long could do in the bigs. If anything for teams to get a look at him so we can trade him at deadline.
Next year??!! We better ******* see him next year. That’s a bit much of a slow walk if you ask me. Horton will be back, then Steele needs to be back.
I'm starting to wonder if we even see Steele this year. Jed already said it's unrealistic that Steele will make a start this year which makes me wonder if we see him at all and if we do that statement means they aren't going to have him do anything other than bullpen work.
Horton at best will be 2nd half to late 2027 if all goes well and I would guess if he does make it back next season the same thing with Steele that he won't be in the rotation until the following season. Horton already had Tommy John surgery in 2021 so 2 elbow injuries in 5 years I would bet that they are not going to push him to return any sooner than they should to make sure this one is fully healed and rehabbed. I'm just trying to be realistic here because the Cubs have a tendency to downplay injury timelines and usually they wind up becoming a lot longer than originally stated.
I mean giving up 10 earned runs is so so so bad for a major league pitcher. That’s honestly really hard to do.
