Cubs' Porter Hodge To Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

The Porter Hodge situation took a dramatic turn Wednesday.

The right-handed reliever, who has appeared in 75 games over the past two seasons, will have surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow next week, manager Craig Counsell said before Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. That would put most if not all of next season in jeopardy for Hodge.

Counsell said Hodge, who began throwing again April 4 after being shut down early in spring training, recently had a setback that led to the decision to have the procedure, which will take place Monday. Right-handed starter Cade Horton is slated to have his UCL reconstruction surgery Thursday.

The 25-year-old Hodge made his MLB debut in 2024 and had a fantastic year. In 39 appearances, Hodge compiled a 1.88 ERA and converted nine of 12 save opportunities. His 2025 was almost the opposite of his rookie year as Hodge's ERA blew up to 6.27 in 36 games, including two saves in five chances.