Overview
- Manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that imaging by Dr. Keith Meister found a flexor strain in Justin Steele’s left arm and the Cubs have shut him down pending a re-evaluation in about a month.
- The setback likely pushes a late May or June target into the season’s second half, with local reporting indicating a return after the All-Star break.
- Doctors found no new damage to his reconstructed ulnar collateral ligament, so the plan is rest until the elbow is pain free before restarting a throwing program.
- Steele had reached live bullpen sessions in early April and then felt elbow discomfort after a weekend bullpen that prompted the checkup.
- Chicago, which also lost Cade Horton to season-ending elbow surgery, will rely on Shōta Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Edward Cabrera, Colin Rea and Jameson Taillon to cover starts.