Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele will miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to elbow surgery. Manager Craig Counsell shared this news with reporters at Dodger Stadium before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While it’s not yet confirmed if Steele will need Tommy John surgery, he will undergo a procedure to repair his flexor tendon and address issues with his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). If doctors decide on a less invasive internal brace procedure, Steele could make a quicker return, but he still won’t pitch again until 2026.
The 29-year-old pitcher had been performing well, with a 3-1 record and a 4.76 ERA in his first four starts of the season. However, he left his latest start against the Texas Rangers after starting to feel tightness in his elbow. In that game, Steele had thrown seven scoreless innings, allowing only three hits while striking out eight batters and walking two.
Steele recounted his experience, explaining how he tried to keep loose between innings and was hopeful about recovery methods. “I told the trainers the next day I wanted to focus on recovery,” he said. After being placed on the 15-day injured list, the team initially hoped he was experiencing the same tendinitis that had sidelined him for three weeks last September.
An MRI on Thursday revealed that the situation was more serious than anticipated and led Steele to seek a second opinion regarding his elbow. The results indicated that surgery was necessary.
In his four starts this season, Steele recorded a total of 21 strikeouts and allowed 21 hits over 22 and one-third innings of play. Last season, he finished strong with a 3.06 ERA and averaged nine strikeouts per nine innings. His performance two seasons ago marked a career high, where he achieved a 3.06 ERA and a record of 16 wins against 5 losses, totaling 176 strikeouts over 173 and one-third innings.
In the absence of Steele, Colin Rea will take his place in the Cubs’ rotation for the time being. Meanwhile, the team has recalled Ethan Roberts from Triple-A to fill the vacant roster position. Roberts had a solid season at Iowa, recording a 3.21 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 26 and two-thirds innings of pitching.
Steele’s injury is a significant setback for the Cubs, as he was expected to be a key player in their pitching lineup this season. His ability to maintain performance throughout the last few seasons had made him one of the team’s reliable pitchers. The Cubs are now facing challenges in managing their roster and adapting to the loss of a talented player as they navigate through the remainder of the season.
As fans and the Cubs organization await updates on Steele’s recovery and surgery, the team continues to focus on their upcoming games and making adjustments in their lineup. The hope is that this surgical intervention will allow Steele to return healthy and strong for the 2026 season.
In summary, Justin Steele’s surgery marks a pivotal moment for both him and the Cubs. The team’s resilience will be tested as they strive to fill the gap left by Steele and maintain competitiveness in the league. The support of both the medical team and fans will be essential as Steele embarks on his road to recovery, with the aim of returning to the diamond even better than before.
