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Chi. Cubs • #35 • SP

Justin Steele

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date ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
era
Earned Run Average
FPTS
Fantasy Points
Mar 19, 2025 4.0 0 1 11.25 -1.5
Full Game Log

Schedule

Preseason
vs
SD
Fri, Mar 21
L 5-1
vs
COL
Sat, Mar 22
L 7-3
vs
ATH
Sun, Mar 23
L 8-1
vs
ATL
Mon, Mar 24
L 13-4
vs
ATL
Tue, Mar 25
W 4-2
Regular season
@
ARI
Thu, Mar 27
10:10 pm
DBTV
@
ARI
Fri, Mar 28
9:40 pm
DBTV
@
ARI
Sat, Mar 29
8:10 pm
DBTV
@
ARI
Sun, Mar 30
4:10 pm
DBTV
@
ATH
Mon, Mar 31
10:05 pm
MLBN
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Player Outlook
Justin Steele had a breakout season in 2023 but somewhat of a breakdown 2024 season when you look at him from a medical angle. The hamstring strain he incurred in his first start of the season led to him missing a month, but then left forearm soreness in late August was a scare, especially for someone who has already had Tommy John surgery. Thankfully, Steele made it back to throw two more games before the season ended, so some of the mystery around the injury was resolved. Steele continues to employ a very unusual repertoire for a starter, as he throws his four-seamer or his slider nearly 90 percent of the time. Lefties continued to have little success against him, while righties are still mostly kept at bay because Steele does not hurt himself with walks, and the use of the changeup and curve at least keep righties guessing. That combination has helped him become one of the better hard contact suppressors in the league. Nearly every indicator points in the right direction, but the health scare of September is a fresh reminder of his downside for 2025.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2025 -1.5-1.5 4.0 — 1 — 5 1 11.25 1.50
2024 316.513.2 134.7 5 5 — 135 37 3.07 1.10
2023 48616.2 173.3 16 5 — 176 36 3.06 1.17
3y Avg. 34013.1 142.3 8 6 — 146 41 3.10 1.20
Full Career Stats
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
97%
Roster
87%
Start
#26
SP Rank

Fantasy News

  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Slated for domestic opener

    Rotowire
    Steele will start the Cubs' domestic opener March 27 in Arizona, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports. Steele started the second game of the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers this week -- allowing five runs over four innings -- and will get the first turn back home. He will be followed by Jameson Taillon against the Diamondbacks.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Tagged for five runs in Tokyo

    Rotowire
    Steele (0-1) took the loss against the Dodgers in Tokyo on Wednesday after he surrendered five runs on five hits and one walk across four innings. He struck out five. Steele struggled to a 9.35 ERA in three spring appearances, and those troubles carried over to his 2025 debut. The left-hander had a 0.7 HR/9 in the previous three seasons, but he was taken deep Wednesday by Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez. Steele built up to 67 pitches and could face some minor workload limitations for his first couple starts stateside as he continues to build up his arm.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Struggles in spring finale

    Rotowire
    Steele (illness) allowed seven runs on 10 hits across 3.2 innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He struck out three. After being scratched from his scheduled start last week due to flu-like symptoms, Steele got bumped back to Tuesday and struggled with the extra time off, allowing three home runs in the short outing. The lefty finishes the spring with a rough 9.35 ERA across three appearances. Despite the poor showing in the Cactus League, Steele is slated to start the Cubs' second game of the regular season March 19 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Starting Tuesday's game

    Rotowire
    Steele (illness) will start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. Steele was scratched from his previous scheduled start last Thursday against the Royals after experiencing flu-like symptoms, but he resumed throwing over the weekend without issue and won't be forced to miss any further turns through the spring rotation. Tuesday's outing will mark Steele's final start of spring training before he makes his 2025 debut during the Cubs' second game of the season March 19 versus the Dodgers in Tokyo.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Set to throw Friday

    Rotowire
    Steele (illness) is feeling better and will get some throwing in at the Cubs' spring training complex Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. Steele had been scheduled to start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals but had to stay home while battling the flu. The lefty is expected to get in one more appearance, likely in a simulated game, before making his first start of the regular season March 19 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Sharp in spring debut

    Rotowire
    Steele tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed two hits and struck out five. In his first action of the spring, Steele already appeared to be in midseason form. The lefty was limited to only 24 starts last year due to hamstring and forearm injuries, but he was effective when healthy, compiling a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings. Steele figures to slot in behind Shota Imanaga in Chicago's rotation this season, giving the Cubs an imposing 1-2 punch, and both are attractive options for fantasy managers.
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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.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Could return from IL soon

    Rotowire
    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: 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.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: MRI shows elbow inflammation

    Rotowire
    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: Dominates Tigers

    Rotowire
    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.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Strong in no-decision

    Rotowire
    Steele allowed an unearned run on six hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Saturday. Steele posted his second quality start in a row, but he didn't get enough run support while in the game to collect the win. The southpaw has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) over 43.2 innings across his last seven starts, while a pair of five-run outings has affected those numbers. For the year, Steele is at a 3.16 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 112:31 K:BB through 114 innings over 19 starts. He's projected to make his next outing at home versus the Blue Jays.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Handles Cardinals for third win

    Rotowire
    Steele (3-5) got the win over the Cardinals on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings. Steele and the Cubs went down 2-0 in the third after Masyn Winn opened up the scoring with a two-run blast to left. That was the only damage Steele would permit, and he was dominant otherwise, retiring 12 straight batters between the third and seventh innings. Steele has now given up a home run in back-to-back outings, but Sunday was his first start surpassing six innings since July 11. The 28-year-old lefty owns a 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 104:29 K:BB in 108 innings and lines up for a matchup against the reeling White Sox his next time on the mound.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Fans four in no-decision

    Rotowire
    Steele did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers, allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four in 5.1 innings. Steele came out of the All-Star break flat, yielding five earned runs on nine hits in his previous start. Wednesday's outing was certainly an improvement, but his 4:3 K:BB was underwhelming, especially compared to his pre-intermission production. In nine starts leading up to the All-Star break, Steele dazzled with a 1.48 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB in 61 innings. The southpaw will look to find his form in his next start, currently scheduled for early next week in Cincinnati.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Stumbles vs. Arizona

    Rotowire
    Steele (2-4) took the loss Friday against the Diamondbacks, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six. It was a tough start to the second half for Steele, who allowed a season-high nine hits en route to his first loss since June 7. The left-hander delivered seven straight quality starts prior to the All-Star break, posting a stellar 1.65 ERA in that span (49 innings). Steele's ERA now sits at 3.07 with a 1.02 WHIP and 87:20 K:BB across 15 starts (91 innings) this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week at home against Milwaukee.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Impressive again Thursday

    Rotowire
    Steele (2-3) earned the win over Baltimore on Thursday, pitching seven scoreless innings during which he gave up three hits and issued no walks while striking out four batters. Steele shut down a potent Orioles lineup, retiring the first 11 batters he faced and allowing just three baserunners (all on doubles) overall. The left-hander couldn't get into the win column over his first 12 starts but has now notched consecutive victories, allowing just one run over 16 innings while posting an 11:2 K:BB during that stretch. Steele's excellence extends further than that -- he's posted seven straight quality starts, registering a 1.65 ERA and 45:7 K:BB across 49 frames over that span.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Throws complete game for first win

    Rotowire
    Steele (1-3) earned the win against the Angels on Friday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over nine innings. Steele needed just 95 pitches to toss his first career complete game. The only blemish was an RBI single by Taylor Ward in the fifth, but the lefty responded by retiring 13 consecutive batters to seal his much overdue first win of the year. The 29-year-old has logged six straight quality starts and owns a 2.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 77:18 K:BB over 79.1 innings this season. He lines up for a road matchup with the Orioles next week.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Logs quality start in no-decision

    Rotowire
    Steele allowed three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Saturday. Steele gave up a pair of runs in the third inning and another in the fourth but finished his outing by retiring seven straight batters. The southpaw stuck around just long enough to notch his fifth straight quality start, though this was his least impressive appearance during that span. Over the five-game stretch, Steele has posted a 2.18 ERA and 34:5 K:BB over 33 innings, but he doesn't have a win to show for that success.
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  • Cubs' Justin Steele: Good start goes to waste

    Rotowire
    Steele allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out nine over 7.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Monday. The downside to Steele's outing was that two of the hits on his line were solo home runs from Matt Chapman and Nick Ahmed. The southpaw hadn't given up a homer in any of his last five starts, and the Giants were able to continue their comeback push against the Cubs' bullpen to deny Steele his first win of the year. Despite the lack of positive results, he's logged five quality starts in 11 outings with a 3.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB over 64.1 innings. Steele is projected for a tough road matchup at Milwaukee this weekend.
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