The Cade Horton saga took a left turn Saturday when the Chicago Cubs announced their top starter was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right rib fracture.

Horton, who was expected to start one of the games in the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres, will be unable to pitch until at least Game 5 of the National League Division Series, if the Cubs advance to the next round.

Horton, 24, is a leading candidate for NL Rookie of the Year, with a 1.03 ERA in the second half, which was the best in the majors by a wide margin. Paul Skenes, the likely NL Cy Young Award winner, was second with a 1.89 ERA since the All-Star break.

The Cubs knew Horton had suffered an injury in his last start Tuesday against the New York Mets, when he was removed after 29 pitches, and sent him for a

See Full Page