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For as much as Chicago Cubs fans want to look externally for potential solutions to their Major League pitching staff, chances are the team would first look to their depth from within to solve any need that they may have.
Javier Assad opened the season on IL but will likely have a spot in the Major League bullpen once he is healthy, The Cubs also have Daniel Palencia, Jordan Wicks, and Cade Horton on their Triple-A pitching staff.
In the case of Horton, he is entering 2025 as the Cubs' top pitching prospect. After injuries derailed his 2024 season in the Cubs' minor-league system, Horton is healthy and will be making his 2025 season debut with the Iowa Cubs on Thursday.
Top Cubs pitching prospect Cade Horton is scheduled to make his 2025 regular season debut for the @iowacubs on Thursday at Indianapolis.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) April 1, 2025
Horton suffered a shoulder injury that he initially tried to pitch through during the 2024 season but after scouts noticed a dip in his velocity and altered mechanics, he was shutdown for the season. Horton reported to spring training this year healthy with the Cubs' main goal for their top pitching prospect being to get him back on track with his development.
Will Cade Horton make his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2025?
Given the shoulder injury last season, the Cubs aren't going to rush Horton to the Major League level this season. Horton struggled in his five starts with the Iowa Cubs last season prior to being placed on the IL. Horton posted an ERA of 7.50 with a strikeout percentage under 28% and a walk percentage over 13%. Those aren't the numbers that the Cubs look for when promoting pitchers to the Major League level.
It goes without saying that the Cubs will want Horton to have success at the Triple-A level before considering a promotion. If Horton is healthy and returns to top prospect form, success will follow him with the Iowa Cubs.
With that in mind, it would be a safe bet to say that a potential promotion of Horton won't happen until the second half of the season. Even with the urgency the Cubs have at the Major League level, they likely won't dramatically alter Horton's trajectory immediately. Having said that, don't be surprised to see Horton debut out of the bullpen when he makes his Major League debut.
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