Cubs' Cade Horton to miss wild-card round with rib fracture

The Chicago Cubs will be without right-hander Cade Horton for at least their wild-card round against the San Diego Padres, the team announced Saturday.

The Cubs placed the rookie starter on the injured list due to a rib fracture, and the earliest he'll be eligible to return is Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

Horton is considered a favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year, authoring a 2.67 ERA and 3.59 FIP over 118 innings this season. The righty exited his last start early with back soreness and underwent an MRI. The decision to place Horton on the IL came after a scheduled bullpen session to help assess the severity of his injury.

The Cubs' first-round matchup is set against the Padres, but home-field advantage has yet to be decided. Chicago (90-70) sits two games ahead of San Diego (88-72) with two contests remaining in the campaign for both clubs.

Left-hander Jordan Wicks was called up in the corresponding roster move. He's posted a 7.94 ERA this year over 11 1/3 frames.