When can Cubs fans realistically expect Cade Horton to return in 2027?

We recently did a way-too-early prediction for the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation next season, and boy, there were plenty of reactions to it. In hindsight, hand up, I let my self doubt creep in and balked at the idea of the Cubs actually pulling a move across the finish line for an actual starting pitcher who should be viewed as an ace of a staff.

That's fine. I am willing to own up that of the shots you take, you are going to have misses. But one of the most popular replies in response to the video we posted was asking about Cade Horton. There was a clear reason why Horton was not included in our prediction.

It would seem that certain Cubs fans may be falling the same trap we had with Justin Steele last October. The idea of the Cubs getting through a season without one of their top-of-the-rotation arms, and that once the next season starts, the return will happen with no questions asked.

As it turns out, Steele didn't pitch a single game for the Cubs in 2026. Now, he did have a setback, so the timeline was dramatically altered, but even then, the original idea was for Steele to make his return by the first week of June. That's important context to consider when wondering when Horton could make his return in 2027.

Cubs fans hoping for an early Cade Horton return may be disappointed

To be clear, Horton had a Tommy John surgery and Steele didn't. The recovery plan is going to be different, and as a general rule, recoveries are never linear.

It also should be stated that the Cubs likely won't provide an update on Horton until spring training next year, or whatever version of a ramp-up they have for the 2027 season if there is no spring training next February. For now, we simply have to operate off the timeline the Cubs provided at the time of Horton's surgery last April.

Horton had the surgery on April 16, and the Cubs provided an estimated timeline of 15-16 months. Off that timeline alone, the best-case scenario for Horton's return would be in July or August of next year. Though, it would seem the Cubs may have tipped their hand with how they handled Steele this past season. They were extremely cautious, and it's fair to assume the caution will be upped a notch further with Horton.

Which, if that's the case, there's a real chance that if all goes well, September could be when to realistically expect Horton to make his return. In other words, don't view Horton as an expectation for the 2027 season.

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