Cade Horton is finally a Chicago Cub.

Rumors of a call-up have swirled around the right-handed pitcher since Shota Imanaga landed on the 15-day IL Monday, and now, Horton is in New York with the team ahead of the Cubs’ weekend series with the Mets.

[MLB rumors: Top prospect Cade Horton expected to join Cubs in New York]

“It’s a testament to all the hard work I’ve put in,” Horton, whom the Cubs selected No. 7 overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, told media Friday. “The strides I’ve made, just maturing and knowing it’s my time.”

The Cubs have not yet officially announced the move to place Horton on the roster, nor the corresponding transactions. As Horton is not even on the 40-man squad, the Cubs will have to make room for him both there and on the 26-man active roster. The team also has yet to disclose who will start Saturday’s game in Imanaga’s place, but Horton can be an option.

Regardless, the 23-year-old is getting his long-awaited call-up — and he said Iowa pitching coach Tony Cougoule and manager Marty Pevey made it a surprise.

“TC texted me and said, ‘You won Pitcher of the Month for Triple-A, come to Marty’s room.’,” Horton said. “That’s when Marty told me.”

[READ: Cubs still sorting through rotation options for series vs. Mets]

The Oklahoma City native said he called his wife first to share the news, and then his parents. All made the trip to New York in hopes of seeing Horton make his long-awaited MLB debut.

“I’m looking forward to them being able to experience this as well,” Horton said. “They’re the ones that have ultimately helped me get here.”

Horton has a 1.24 ERA through six starts for Iowa this season, striking out 33 over 29 innings. While he’s cruised to success this season, he’s seen some bumps in the road on his way to The Show.

Last year, a Grade 2 shoulder strain Horton suffered in late May required surgery, shutting him down for the season after just 34 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. In 2021, while at the University of Oklahoma, Horton needed Tommy John surgery.

Now, Horton is healthy and feels more efficient and durable than he has in a long time — and he is proud of the progress he’s made.

“It’s just being able to cut down on walks for me — I’d rather attack guys than put guys on,” he said. “Also, going six innings in back-to-back weeks was huge for me. I haven’t done that since college, so it was a really good stepping stone for me.”

It wasn’t just the injuries that triggered the Cubs to bring up Horton — his hard work and lights-out performances in Triple-A made it the right time for Cubs manager Craig Counsell to give Horton the nod.

“(Counsell) told me to keep going and ‘Make us call you up.’,” Horton said. “I feel like I’ve put myself in a position to do that, and here we are.”