Cubs Place Cade Horton on Injured List, Recall Riley Martin from Triple-A

The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Cade Horton on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain, retroactive to April 4, the team confirmed Sunday in Cleveland. Horton returned to Chicago on Sunday afternoon and is scheduled for further medical evaluation by team doctors on Monday.

In a corresponding roster move, the Cubs recalled left-hander Riley Martin from Triple-A Iowa. The announcement was delayed until Sunday morning after Saturday's game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Martin, drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, makes his major league debut following a unique path that began as a Division II player at Quincy. The 27-year-old originally intended to pursue pharmacy school after college but continued to pursue baseball, earning a spot in the Cubs organization and excelling at the Triple-A level. Last season, Martin impressed with a 2.69 ERA across 47 games, a performance that solidified his position as a candidate for a major league call-up.

"He had a very good season last year, and so, more than anything, nothing happened in six innings since then. But his last season made everybody take note for sure, got him on the roster, and that’s what makes him an option," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said of Martin's promotion.

Meanwhile, left fielder Ian Happ's early season struggles continued Sunday, as he went 2-for-9 with six strikeouts across the doubleheader. Happ did deliver a solo home run to give the Cubs a brief lead in Game 2 and added an RBI single in the ninth inning, though the Cubs ultimately fell 6-5 in the second game of the day.

Regarding Seiya Suzuki, Counsell provided an update after Sunday's games, stating that the right fielder served as designated hitter for Double-A Knoxville on Saturday and will continue playing there on Tuesday and Wednesday before returning to the Cubs on Friday.

The Cubs await further medical updates on Cade Horton, with the club continuing to adjust its roster amid early season injuries and performances.