why did cade horton leave the game today

Cade Horton left the game today due to back tightness, which was aggravated by an illness causing coughing and breathing issues. He was removed after just three innings as a precautionary measure to avoid worsening his condition, especially with the playoffs approaching. The Cubs and Horton prioritized his health to ensure he would be ready for potential postseason starts, and an MRI was done to further evaluate his back. He felt good in terms of pitching but experienced stiffness and breathing difficulty between innings, prompting the team to pull him for his long-term benefit.