Justin Steele Nears Return to Cubs After Injury Setback

Justin Steele, a left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, has been eagerly anticipating his return to the team after a challenging recovery. Following elbow surgery in April 2025, Steele faced a setback this spring with a flexor strain, extending his rehabilitation period significantly.

Currently, Steele is with the Cubs in Arizona for their three-game series against the Diamondbacks, nearing a comeback. He reported successful recovery after his first live batting practice last week and has been maintaining his form by playing catch daily without any issues.

Scheduled to throw live batting practice on Tuesday and Friday at the Cubs’ complex in Mesa, Steele hopes to begin a rehab assignment soon after. He expressed optimism, stating, “It’s been a long road and feels really good to get towards the end of that tunnel.” He is determined to contribute to the team’s performance on the field.

Steele believes returning to pitch for the Cubs this season is feasible and has accepted initially taking on a bullpen role. “As soon as we had the setback, we thought about what makes the most sense, and decided that coming back in a bullpen role was practical,” said Steele. He acknowledged not having enough time to prepare as a starter.

Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the importance of taking a measured approach, indicating Steele’s need for extensive rehab. Counsell remarked, “I think we need to get him pitching in rehab games first — I don’t want to skip steps here.” Steele has not played in an affiliated game for nearly two years, so resuming gameplay is essential.

The Cubs remain cautious, recognizing the necessity of preparing Steele adequately for his role. While his potential contribution is uncertain for late September, Steele’s availability in postseason could be significant if he proves himself in upcoming rehab games.

Steele articulated his eagerness to return, saying, “I haven’t pitched in a while, definitely going to have the adrenaline and stuff that I haven’t been able to feel in quite some time, so it’s going to be exciting.” Right-hander Ben Brown, who is recovering from a neck stress reaction, is closer to returning than Steele and will also participate in live batting practice followed by a rehab assignment if all continues to go well.