Cubs cautiously optimistic Horton will be ready to go in Wild Card Series

CHICAGO -- Cade Horton wants to take the ball when the Cubs face off against the Padres in the upcoming National League Wild Card Series. The rookie might get that chance, but the team wants to ensure that his recent setback is not serious in nature.

“He’s adamant he can go pitch,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We just want to make sure we’ve got all the information before he can go out there. Obviously, it’s a big spot for everybody.”

Prior to Thursday’s game against the Mets, Counsell noted that an MRI exam on Horton’s mid-back and ribcage area displayed “some areas of concern” in the wake of his early exit from Tuesday’s start. The current plan is to have another physician look over the results to have a second opinion as part of the team’s decision-making.

In the meantime, Horton is tentatively scheduled to test things out with some throwing on Friday and Counsell is optimistic about his availability for the postseason. As things are currently lined up, the 24-year-old right-hander and NL Rookie of the Year contender could take the ball in Game 1 or Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, which begins Tuesday.

“Right now, Cade is a go,” Counsell said. “Look, the reason we want to get as much information as you can is you want to make sure it’s safe for Cade to go out there and pitch.”

In Tuesday’s 9-7 loss to the Mets, Horton threw 29 pitches across three innings before being pulled from the game. Counsell noted after the defeat that the rookie had been dealing with illness in recent days, with a persistent cough and discomfort while taking deep breaths. Between innings, Horton experienced back and side tightness while breathing.

Counsell took no chances and removed Horton, bringing an end to his sensational rookie campaign.

In 23 appearances (22 starts), Horton went 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts against 33 walks in 118 innings. The young starter turned a corner once the calendar flipped to July, turning in a 1.36 ERA in 14 outings from that point on. Horton’s 1.03 ERA in the second half leads the Majors among pitchers with at least 50 innings.

If the Cubs are able to wrap up home-field advantage for the Wild Card Series -- Chicago entered Thursday with a 2 1/2-game lead over the Padres – Horton would be a leading candidate to start one of the first two games. In 11 games at Wrigley Field this year, he has a 1.63 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 14 walks in 55 1/3 innings.

“Fortunately, it’s not until next week,” Counsell said. “That’s why we want to make sure we use this time to let Cade tell us how he feels, let Cade show us how he feels. Consult our doctors and let them make recommendations and get the best decision we can make.”

Horton would be working on six days of rest for Game 1 and seven days of rest for Game 2. If he is unable to start, the Cubs have lefties Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga as the likely candidates for those games. Veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon may also be an option, depending on how the rotation plays out in the final series against the Cardinals.

“We definitely have plans, for sure,” Counsell said. “We met today on the playoff roster, so we’re at the phase where we’re starting to put plans in place. We’re going to have multiple ones. We’ve got four baseball games left, which can affect things.

“We do know who we're playing -- that’s for sure. And the way we’ve structured this is that we have ways to do a number of things.”