The Chicago Cubs provided an update on left-handed starting pitcher Justin Steele this week, and while the team has characterized it as good news, it’s pretty difficult to see it as anything other than grim when you actually read Jed Hoyer’s comments.
Steele, who underwent elbow surgery in April 2025, was cleared back in spring training to fully resume a throwing program. The pitcher initially believed he’d be back in late May or early June. However, a month ago, Steele suffered a setback in his recovery. The pitcher was shut down because of a flexor strain in his pitching arm.
The latest update on the surface is good news as Steele met with Dr. Meister. The Cubs’ pitcher has progressed following the April setback, and there aren’t any new issues. So again, that is good. However, when Craig Counsell and Hoyer both use the language, “hope he’s back before the end of the year,” there is just no way you can convince fans that this is all that positive.
Going back to the setback in late April, the Cubs were talking about a potential return following the All-Star break in July. Now, they’re hoping Steele can maybe come back in August?
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
Via the Chicago Tribune.
“We’re hopeful to get him back. Obviously, there comes a point which you run out of days, but I don’t think we’re there yet, and I know Justin wants to come back more than anything. … Our hope is that we can get him back by the end of the year and really help us.” -Jed Hoyer
Oof. I get it, maybe I’m being way too pessimistic about this situation, but the way things have gone for the 2026 Cubs, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to expect the worst.
Just an all-around bummer for the pitching staff right now, which is relying on the 10th guy on the starting rotation depth chart, Jordan Wicks, a third into the regular season.
(Previous Update)
Hey, how are you? Welcome to another day in hell for the Chicago Cubs. As if things on the pitching front weren’t already bad, Rick Sutcliffe delivered another gut punch to fans on Tuesday, when he revealed on the Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 that Justin Steele suffered a setback in his recovery from elbow surgery.
Sutcliffe didn’t confirm the awful news, leaving room for doubt. The Cubs broadcaster and former player said he had heard that Steele had a setback but wasn’t able to get in contact with the left-hander, which raised further concerns for Sutcliffe. However, less than an hour later, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers got in contact with his sources and the update was true.
Steele, who had season-ending surgery last April, was cleared to resume full activity in spring training. At the time, he was targeting a late May to early June return to the Cubs’ starting rotation. Now, it is unclear when Steele will be able to come back in 2026 as the team has temporarily shut him down according to Rogers.
On the surface, you can maybe dismiss this as being a truly awful setback. Yes, Steele was eligible to return on May 25, after he was moved to the 60-day injured list. However, he did leave some buffer room in his own estimated recovery time. Remember, Steele said late May or early June, so it’s not like he guaranteed he would be back as soon as he was eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list.
Yet, it’s still not a good thing that he had a setback, even if it is minor. Right now, we’re not aware of the severity. It could be as simple as arm fatigue, or he might actually be feeling pain in his elbow.
Regardless, the timing of this update makes the Cubs look bad after they reportedly weren’t willing to outbid the San Diego Padres for free agent starting pitcher Lucas Giolito. The Cubs were one of the teams trying to sign Giolito, but he ultimately agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Padres that includes an option for the 2027 season.
The Cubs have already lost Cade Horton for the rest of this season after the young right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery. Matthew Boyd also missed a couple of weeks because of a biceps issue. This Steele setback certainly can’t make the team feel any better.
So far in 2026, the Cubs have had 30+ pitchers on the injured list from the minor leagues up through the active MLB roster. As many as 11 pitchers on the 40-man roster have missed time because of injuries.
UPDATE
Yeah, it’s kind of a bigger setback than just a sore arm. Cubs manager Craig Counsell was on 670 The Score later on Tuesday, and he provided a little more insight. Steele will be re-evaluated in a month.
Related, left-handed reliever Riley Martin was recently placed on the injured list, and he was diagnosed with a flexor strain as well. The Cubs have ruled Martin out for eight weeks.
This fucking blows.
