Cubs' Justin Steele: Goes four innings against Phillies
Rotowire
Steele didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Phillies, allowing two runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out three without issuing a walk.
Steele only threw 62 pitches Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from a three-week absence due to elbow tendinitis. The left-hander will likely wrap up an injury-hampered campaign with a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings.
Steele came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the A's, allowing two hits and three walks over 2.2 scoreless innings. He struck out one.
Activated from the IL earlier in the day after completing his recovery from elbow tendinitis, Steele wasn't fully stretched out and tossed 57 pitches (37 strikes) before being lifted. The 29-year-old lefty has had trouble staying healthy this season, but through 130.2 innings he's delivered a strong 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 132:37 K:BB. With the Cubs teetering on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs, they could shuffle their rotation as their focus turns to 2025, but Steele is currently scheduled to make his next start on the road early next week against the Phillies.
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Cubs' Justin Steele: Activated ahead of start
Rotowire
The Cubs activated Steele (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Steele will rejoin the rotation Wednesday against the Athletics after missing the last three weeks of action with left elbow tendinitis. The southpaw didn't make a rehab start, so he could be working with a limited pitch count Wednesday.
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Cubs' Justin Steele: Rejoining rotation Wednesday
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced Tuesday that Steele (elbow) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Athletics, Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com reports.
The left-hander landed on the shelf after experiencing elbow tendinitis following his last start Aug. 27 in Pittsburgh, and he'll be back with the Cubs for the final week and a half of the campaign. If Chicago sticks to a five-man rotation, Steele tentatively lines up for three starts before the end of the regular season. The 29-year-old has a 3.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 131:34 K:BB across 128 innings this season.
Steele (elbow) told reporters after his bullpen session Saturday that he expects to be activated off the 15-day injured list during the Cubs' upcoming homestand, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Steele landed on the 15-day injured list Sept. 4 due to left elbow tendinitis. He threw a couple of bullpen sessions after some rest, and the 29-year-old southpaw appears to be nearing a return without the need for a rehab assignment. The earliest Steele can be activated off the IL is Sept. 18, which would be the series finale against the Athletics, though the Cubs could wait until the following series against the Nationals to activate Steele. He has a 5-5 record over 22 starts this season with a 3.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 131:34 K:BB across 128 innings.
Steele (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
This marks the first time Steele has thrown off a mound since he landed on the injured list last Wednesday, and he's slated to throw another bullpen session over the weekend. Assuming everything goes smoothly, the 29-year-old lefty could be cleared to face live hitters sometime next week and appears to have a good chance to pitch again before the end of the season.
The Cubs are hopeful Steele will be cleared to throw a bullpen session at some point during the current road trip, which runs until Sunday in Colorado, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Manager Craig Counsell noted that Steele hasn't experienced any issues while playing catch, so the next step will be for the southpaw to resume throwing off a mound. He'll likely be asked to complete a side session or two before getting the green light to face live hitters.
The Cubs placed Steele on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow tendinitis, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Steele had to be scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday due to inflammation in his elbow, and he'll now officially sit out for another few turns through the rotation following his latest diagnosis. Kyle Hendricks started in Steele's place against the Pirates and figures to serve as Chicago's fifth starter while the left-hander is sidelined.
