The Chicago Cubs pitcher will miss the remainder of the season as he’s set to undergo surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow, manager Craig Counsell confirmed on Sunday.
It’s still uncertain whether the 29-year-old southpaw, who previously had Tommy John surgery in 2017, will require a full second ligament reconstruction or a less invasive revision using an internal brace. Regardless, Steele isn’t expected to return until the 2026 season.
“Days like this are tough,” Counsell said ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Dodgers. “You feel for a guy like Justin. Unfortunately, this is part of the reality for big league pitchers—injuries that cost them most or all of a season.”
Counsell added that he is in good spirits despite the setback. “We spoke this morning, and he’s handling it with the same positive attitude he always does. He understands this comes with the territory and is focused on the long road back.”
Justin Steele was recently placed on the injured list after experiencing elbow discomfort following his last outing. Though he threw seven scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers last Monday, he still felt pain during treatment the following day.
Before the injury, Steele had posted a 3-1 record with a 4.76 ERA over four starts. He has dealt with recurring elbow issues in recent seasons, spending time on the injured list in each of the last two years, including a brief stint late in 2024. He opened this season by starting the second game of the year for the Cubs during their international series in Japan against the Dodgers.
Across his MLB career, Steele holds a 32-22 record and a 3.30 ERA through 91 starts, all with the Cubs.
His absence creates a major void in the Cubs’ rotation. On Sunday, Colin Rea was slated to step in as the emergency starter. Looking ahead, right-hander Javier Assad is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and is in consideration to take Steele’s spot upon his return from a left oblique strain.
Other internal options include left-hander Jordan Wicks and right-hander Cade Horton. Horton, one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, is still on the mend after missing time with an injury last season.
The team may also explore external help via trade, especially with rumors that Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara could become available this summer.
Leave a Reply