Justin Steele, sidelined since last spring following elbow surgery, has received medical clearance to resume pitching, marking a hopeful milestone for the Chicago Cubs. As the team plans for his reintegration, the Cubs face a critical choice about how to adjust their starting rotation to accommodate Steele’s return.
Steele, a left-handed pitcher known for his steady improvement, has been rehabbing over the past year after undergoing surgery on his elbow. On Saturday, he announced the good news on social media, expressing gratitude to those who supported him through recovery and highlighting his faith as a source of strength.
Last bullet from my bullpen yesterday. Got cleared by Dr. [Keith] Meister today,
Steele shared.
Good day for some reflection. Just wanna say thank you to everyone who’s helped me along this journey to getting back to 100%. Coaches, trainers, staff, family, and everything in between. You all know who you are and I truly appreciate you.
Also wanna thank My Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ,
he added.
Without them; none of this would be possible. Jesus is the only way and always has been.
How Steele’s Return Could Reshape the Cubs’ Starting Rotation
With Steele edging closer to a May or June return, Chicago’s management must decide to either slot him into the existing starting rotation or experiment with a six-man rotation. The Cubs already have a group of dependable starters, including Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Jameson Taillon, and Edward Cabrera, each coming off solid performances last season.
Among those, Imanaga remains the team’s ace, so his spot is secure. Boyd delivered a strong year with a 3.21 ERA and ranked 15th in the league in that category, alongside a 1.09 WHIP, 14th best in baseball. Horton posted a 2.67 ERA across 23 outings, though he logged fewer innings than required for leaderboard qualification. Taillon and Cabrera both had respectable seasons as well, with ERAs of 3.68 and 3.53 respectively, the latter pitching for the Miami Marlins before joining the Cubs.
The Cubs are likely to monitor the early spring training performances and initial regular-season starts from these pitchers before deciding whose spot Steele will take, if not opting for an expanded rotation. This strategic assessment will be crucial to maximizing the team’s pitching depth and effectiveness.
Upcoming Games and Emerging Position Battles
As spring training continues, the Cubs prepare for a series of matchups that could influence lineup and rotation decisions. They are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday afternoon, followed by games against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday and the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
Beyond the rotation quandary, spring training has also sparked new competition for roster spots. Notably, a position battle has emerged involving Joey Mistretta, adding further intrigue as players vie to secure their place on the team heading into the regular season.
The Importance of Steele’s Return for the Cubs’ Season Outlook
Justin Steele’s return offers the Cubs both a boost in pitching depth and a potential turning point in their push for postseason success. While the team did not qualify for the playoffs from 2022 through 2024, they reached Game 5 of last year’s NL Division Series despite Steele missing nearly the entire season.
Steele’s consistent performance in the years before his surgery — reflected by steadily improving ERAs under 3.10 from 2021 through 2023 — highlights his value as a starter. How Chicago integrates him back into the rotation could significantly affect their competitiveness as the season unfolds, particularly if early-season struggles surface among current starters.
Ultimately, the Cubs’ choice to either maintain a five-man rotation or expand to six arms will shape their pitching strategy moving forward, with Justin Steele’s health and form closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
