RHP Cade Horton likely to make big league debut with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday

NEW YORK AP Cade Horton is expected to take the mound for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday for his anticipated major league debut Horton joined the gang s taxi squad ahead of its series opener at the New York Mets on Friday The -year-old right-hander was selected by Chicago with the No overall pick in the amateur draft Manager Craig Counsell didn t officially commit to Horton starting Saturday in place of Shota Imanaga who was placed on the -day injured list Monday with a strained his left hamstring Plan is to get through tonight and see where we re at Counsell reported He will be operational Saturday Horton is - with a ERA and strikeouts in innings at Triple-A Iowa He allowed one run or fewer in each of his first six starts this year He s the guy that s pitching the best at Iowa Counsell disclosed He s earned the opportunity Horton battled a right lat injury last season and made just nine starts between Iowa and Double-A Tennessee When he ascertained out he was going to the majors he called his wife first and then let his parents and the rest of his family know It was really cool being able to share that with them Horton declared Horton made one start this spring in major league camp He also served as the Cubs starting pitcher in their spring breakout encounter against Los Angeles Angels prospects He s learning about himself as much as anything and these are really valuable experiences for him Counsell revealed As you start the season with Cade in spring training you understand that he s a talented talented pitcher that if we laid a good foundation for him we suspected that he was going to make an impact on this crew The Cubs placed left-handed reliever Caleb Thielbar on the paternity list before Friday s challenge Left-hander Tom Cosgrove was recalled from Triple-A Iowa Thielbar is - with one save and a ERA in appearances this season AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source