The Cubs vs Guardians matchup took a worrying turn when Chicago starter Cade Horton left after the second inning with right forearm discomfort, the Cubs announced, ending his outing after a 93.8 mph fastball in the second, MLB analyst Mike Petriello wrote on X.
Cubs personnel checked Horton on the mound before he walked off the field, and the club said there would be further testing, according to reporting. Horton had thrown 95 to 96 mph in the first inning, Petriello added, making the removal notable for velocity watchers.
The 24-year-old right-hander, a former No. 7 overall pick from Oklahoma, had won his first start of the year by going 6.1 innings, allowing two runs and recording four strikeouts, as noted in earlier coverage. With Horton gone early, Chicago turned immediately to its bullpen and summoned Rea, who has been used mostly as a starter in his major league career.
DeLauter Spark and Game Details
Cleveland rallied at Progressive Field behind rookie Chase DeLauter, who collected three hits and hit a two-run homer that provided key insurance in a 4-1 Guardians victory in the home opener. DeLauter also delivered a game-tying single in the fifth, and as reported he has five home runs and eight RBIs in seven games played.
Joey Cantillo gave Cleveland length, allowing one run while striking out six over 5 1/3 innings, and Gabriel Arias supplied a go-ahead homer in the seventh. Arias had received early boos after a strikeout in the third and was tagged out at home in the fifth on DeLauter’s RBI single, before winning back the crowd with his seventh-inning solo shot.
Early in the game, Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled on a popup that fell between fielders, then stole third and scored on a Miguel Amaya double to put Chicago ahead 1-0. Hunter Harvey took the loss for the Cubs, and Cleveland’s bullpen closed the game with Cade Smith striking out the side in the ninth for his second save, while Matt Festa worked crucial middle relief.
The home opener drew a sellout crowd of more than 36,000, and the game featured a ceremonial first pitch by Laila Edwards before play began.
