Locals in MLB: Former Cottonwood pitcher Porter Hodge to miss remainder of 2026 season
Apr 16, 2026, 1:20 PM
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 12: Porter Hodge #37 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field on September 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Cottonwood Colt star pitcher Porter Hodge will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after the Chicago Cubs announced he would undergo UCL surgery on his right elbow.
Hodge had not pitched this year after beginning the season on the 15-day IL because of a right elbow strain.
Locals In MLB: Porter Hodge Reminisces On MLB Debut
The Chicago Cubs have announced that RHP Porter Hodge will undergo surgery to repair his right UCL. Hodge will miss the remainder of the 2026 season and some of the 2027 season.
— MLB Moves and News (@MLBMoves_News) April 16, 2026
11 pitchers in the Cubs’ 40-man roster are currently on the injured list, as a rash of injuries has hit the franchise.
Who is Porter Hodge?
MLB – Chicago Cubs
2024 MLB Stats: 39 Games | 3-1 | 1.88 ERA | 43 IP | 9 SV | 9 HLD | 52 Ks | 19 BBs | 0.89 WHIP
2025 MLB Stats: 36 Games | 2-2 | 6.27 ERA | 33 IP | 2 SV | 8 HLD | 40 Ks | 18 BBs | 1.58 WHIP
Hodge made his MLB debut for Chicago in May 2024 when he struck out three former All-Stars against the Atlanta Braves. He became a trusted part of Craig Counsell’s bullpen down the stretch.
He earned nine saves and had nine holds in 39 appearances, setting himself up as a closer option heading into 2025 spring training.
BREAKING: Porter Hodge Will Undergo UCL Surgery, His Season is Donehttps://t.co/IrHeXGOSZQ pic.twitter.com/Aw9PiRmbxw
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 16, 2026
Instead, Hodge battled command and injury issues as his numbers took a hit across the board. Two stints on the injured list and a demotion to Triple-A were the tale of his 2025 season.
When not injured, Hodge got beaten for nine homers and 23 earned runs.
The right-hander was a two-time state champ at Cottonwood High. A four-year varsity starter, Hodge finished with a 1.50 ERA in 130.2 innings across 30 games.
The Chicago Cubs selected Hodge out of high school in the 13th round of the 2019 MLB draft. He advanced to Double-A Tennessee in 2023, finishing with a 6-7 record and a 5.13 ERA in 80.2 innings.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
