Cade Horton, a promising pitching prospect for the Chicago Cubs, has been dealt a setback as he is set to be shut down for three to four weeks due to a moderate subscapularis strain, according to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. Horton, 22, was making strides towards a potential major league debut this summer, but this injury has dampened those prospects.

Selected seventh overall in the 2022 draft, Horton showcased his talent by dominating in three levels of the minors last year. With an impressive 2.65 earned run average and a 33.5% strikeout rate, he quickly established himself as one of the top prospects in the game, earning a spot in the top 50 rankings by Baseball America, FanGraphs, ESPN, and The Athletic.

In 2024, Horton began the season in Double-A where he continued to excel, posting a 2.65 ERA over four starts. Capitalizing on the major league rotation's struggles and injuries to key starters, he earned a promotion to Triple-A in May. However, his performances at the higher level did not live up to expectations, with 15 earned runs allowed in 18 innings.

It is now evident that the subscapularis strain may have been affecting Horton's performance, as his control suffered significantly with a 13.6% walk rate. Consequently, any momentum towards a major league debut has been halted by the injury and subsequent shutdown.

While the Cubs currently hold the final Wild Card spot in the National League, the tight race and their recent struggles underscore the need for additional pitching reinforcements. With the trade deadline looming in late July, it will be intriguing to see if the club pursues external options to bolster their rotation.

In the meantime, the Cubs will be focused on getting Horton back to full strength. With a projected return in July, his recovery timeline aligns with the trade deadline, adding another layer of intrigue for Cubs fans. The team will be eager to monitor his progress and evaluate whether he can contribute to their campaign in the latter half of the season.

Given his limited workload this year, standing at just 34 1/3 innings, the Cubs are also keen on developing Horton's arm for the long term. Having undergone Tommy John surgery in 2021, building up his innings and endurance will be crucial for his future success as a starting pitcher.

The path to the major leagues has become more challenging for Horton in the wake of his injury. However, the Cubs remain hopeful that he can regain his form and demonstrate his potential once he returns. In the ever-fluctuating baseball landscape, the need for pitching reinforcements can arise at any moment, making Horton's eventual comeback all the more important.