The NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs have misplaced one in all their prime beginning pitchers for the season. Left-hander Justin Steele may have surgical procedure to restore the flexor tendon and UCL in his pitching elbow, supervisor Craig Counsell introduced Sunday (by way of MLB.com). Steele skilled tightness following his final begin and exams revealed the flexor tendon and UCL harm.
It is unclear whether or not Steele would require full-blown Tommy John surgical procedure or solely the interior brace process, which can be utilized for sure partial UCL tears. Both method, Steele’s season is over. The inner brace would doubtlessly enable him to return a number of weeks into 2026. Tommy John surgical procedure would sidelined him deeper into the summer time.
Colin Rea will begin in Steele’s place Sunday night time towards the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago’s rotation depth chart at the moment appears one thing like this:
- LHP Shota Imanaga
LHP Justin Steele(out for 2025 with flexor tendon/UCL surgical procedure)- RHP Jameson Taillon
- LHP Matthew Boyd
RHP Javier Assad(out with indirect pressure, will start rehab project Tuesday)- RHP Ben Brown
- RHP Colin Rea
- LHP Jordan Wicks
Steele, 29, has been the Cubs’ most dependable starter the previous few years. He threw 427 innings with a 3.10 ERA and the underlying numbers to match from 2022-24. In 4 begins this season, Steele allowed 12 runs in 22 2/3 innings. That features a tough displaying through the Tokyo Sequence, when the Dodgers tagged him for 5 runs in 4 innings.
The Cubs had been mentioned to be searching for extra rotation depth late within the offseason and spring coaching. With Steele completed for the season, they may presumably ramp up these efforts main as much as the July 31 commerce deadline. That mentioned, a number of groups want pitching, and it’s by no means simple to accumulate high quality starters through the summer time.
At 10-7, the Cubs sit atop the NL Central within the early going. Their plus-41 run differential is well one of the best in baseball. No different workforce is healthier than plus-24.
