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.
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Cubs' Justin Steele: Throws off mound
Rotowire
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.
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Cubs' Justin Steele: Bullpen coming soon
Rotowire
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.
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Cubs' Justin Steele: Lands on injured list
Rotowire
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.
Steele has been diagnosed with left elbow inflammation following an MRI, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.
He will undergo additional imaging, but the left-hander received good news from the initial test results. Steele had to be scratched from a scheduled start Tuesday versus the Pirates due to elbow soreness, which he admitted he's been dealing with for a while. No decision has been made regarding a potential stint on the 15-day injured list, but it's a move that seems likely. Kyle Hendricks is starting in Steele's place Tuesday.
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Cubs' Justin Steele: Scratched from Tuesday's start
Rotowire
Steele will not start Tuesday's game against the Pirates after experiencing elbow soreness, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Manager Craig Counsell didn't provide many details, and it's unclear whether Steele will require imaging or a potential stint on the injured list. Kyle Hendricks will make a spot start in Steele's place.
Steele (5-5) earned the win Tuesday against the Pirates, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.
Both runs scored in the opening frame, as Pittsburgh sent seven batters to the plate while Steele labored through 19 pitches. However, the 29-year-old cruised through the next four innings, not allowing a runner to reach second. With this 93-pitch performance, the Chicago southpaw collected his fifth win in his last 10 starts. Over that span, he has pitched to a 2.97 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 61:18 K:BB across 57.2 innings. Steele is currently slated to face the Pirates again in his upcoming turn in the rotation next week.
Steele (4-5) picked up the win Thursday against Detroit, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks across seven innings. He struck out 10.
Steele blanked the Tigers on two hits across the first six innings before allowing a single to Colt Keith and a two-run homer to Spencer Torkelson back-to-back in the seventh. The left-handed Steele reached double-digit strikeouts for the first time this season. In 21 starts, Steele has a 3.07 ERA and a 125:32 K:BB across 123 innings. Steele is on track to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh for his next start.
Steele did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, walking one and striking out three across two scoreless innings.
Steele was pulled with a 1-0 lead after the game was delayed twice due to rain. He entered Saturday having logged two consecutive quality starts and looked strong in his only two innings of work, throwing 23 of 36 pitches for strikes and generating five whiffs. On the season, the southpaw owns a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 115:32 K:BB across 116 innings and lines up for a favorable matchup with the Marlins next week.
