Overview
- The left-hander shared video of a mound session at the Cubs’ Arizona complex, his first bullpen work since April 2025 UCL revision surgery.
- Steele says he is ahead of schedule and expects to face hitters during Spring Training, though he has no firm return date.
- Manager Craig Counsell has ruled out Opening Day and has said a first-half return is possible if Steele continues progressing.
- Steele noted that Dr. Keith Meister is expected to recommend season-long workload or innings limits as he ramps up.
- General manager Carter Hawkins called Steele’s eventual return a significant boost for a rotation that includes Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton and Jameson Taillon.