Iowa wont challenge him, but the Cubs are cautious with him. He threw 78 pitches in his last outing. The most he has ever thrown. He has only been pitching for what 3 years? He probably come up this year, but the Cubs are going to slowly build him up and Im sure he is on an innings count.
I was feeling the same on this subject. It would take a major injury that takes out a core starter for the season to up his timeline.
Steele is projected to start the Padres series. Hendricks is also doing rehab work. So they have depth returning. Add to it Taillon is the guy that Jed paid for now. Shota is pitching at ace levels.
The rotation is not in a bad place right now. I expect Wesneski and Brown back in the pen with Steele and Hendricks returning.
They are beat up but the depth is far better in general where they can keep pushing this year
They have not even tapped Owen Caissie yet and I was expecting that to happen before any Horton talk
If they can get stability and quality starts when those 2 return. I actually would be ok seeing Wicks going into the pen to provide that needed left handed arm this year
I really am not worried about pecking order or this guy should be stuff. I am on board with Craig this year in utilizing the players to get wins. If Wicks comes back and upgrades the pen I am all in
Sept would be the expected time line for Horton if Craig feels that he can be a part of the post season plans. That is a likely outcome. And I doubt that he would be starting. Mid innings arm to get play off exposure.
