Justin Steele, the opening-day starter for the Chicago Cubs, was placed on the 15-day injured list after straining his left hamstring during a game against the Texas Rangers. The Cubs expect him to miss at least a month while he recovers from the injury. Steele had six strikeouts in the game before he was hurt in the fifth inning. The Cubs recalled right-hander Ben Brown from Triple-A Iowa to replace Steele in the lineup.
Brown, a 24-year-old making his major-league debut, had two starts during spring training and is now available out of the bullpen for the Cubs. Steele, a first-time All-Star last season, had a standout year with a 16-5 record and a 3.06 ERA in 30 starts. Despite finishing fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting, Steele will now be sidelined for an extended period due to his injury. Manager Craig Counsell stated that Steele will need to be able to walk without a limp before starting a rehab plan.
While Counsell does not expect Steele to pitch in April, he is optimistic about a May return for the 28-year-old left-hander. Brown, who was acquired in a trade from the Phillies, was 6-8 with a 5.33 ERA in Triple-A Iowa last season. The 33rd-round draft pick by Philadelphia in 2017 will now have the opportunity to contribute to the Cubs’ bullpen in Steele’s absence. The Cubs will need to adjust their pitching rotation to account for Steele’s absence and rely on their depth to maintain their competitiveness.
The Cubs will have to navigate the early portion of the season without their ace pitcher, Steele, as they strive to defend their World Series championship. The team will need to rely on other members of their pitching staff to step up in Steele’s absence and fill the void left by his injury. Brown, in his first major-league appearance, will have the opportunity to showcase his talents and contribute to the Cubs’ success on the mound. Despite the setback, the Cubs remain hopeful for Steele’s return in May and believe in his ability to bounce back from this injury.
The Cubs will face challenges in adjusting their pitching rotation and managing their bullpen without Steele, but they have confidence in their depth and the abilities of their other pitchers. Steele’s absence will test the Cubs’ resilience and their ability to adapt to unexpected setbacks during the season. As they await Steele’s return, the Cubs will need to focus on their performance on the field and continue to compete at a high level in order to remain competitive in the league. With a solid roster and a strong coaching staff, the Cubs are well-equipped to weather this injury and continue their pursuit of success in the MLB.
