Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele is scheduled for season-ending surgery on his left elbow, with the team revealing that the injury requires surgical intervention after initial hopes of a short recovery. Steele had been placed on the injured list for elbow tendinitis, with subsequent examinations confirming the seriousness of the issue.
The exact procedure—whether a full Tommy John surgery or a less invasive internal brace procedure—is still uncertain, though both will sideline him for the entire 2025 season. The internal brace method offers a faster recovery time of around 12 months compared to the lengthy Tommy John recovery, which typically takes up to 18 months.
Cubs’ Hopes for Steele’s Quick Recovery Fade as Injury Requires Season-Ending Surgery
The Cubs initially believed Steele’s injury to be relatively minor, as he had dealt with a similar elbow issue the previous season. Steele himself expected a brief stint on the IL, and the injury seemed comparable to his past minor elbow problem.
However, as the pain persisted, the team sought a second opinion to ensure a more permanent solution. Unfortunately, that meant Steele would need surgery, dashing any hopes of a quick return and leaving the Cubs without their most reliable pitcher for the remainder of 2025.
Justin Steele (MLB)Losing Steele for the season is a significant blow to the Cubs’ pitching staff. Despite a limited pitch repertoire featuring mostly fastballs and sliders, Steele had been highly effective over the past few seasons. He posted a 3.10 ERA between 2022 and 2024, ranking among the league’s top pitchers.
However, his performance in the early 2025 season showed signs of decline, with a troubling drop in velocity and an inflated 6.89 ERA through his first three starts. Steele’s injury comes just as he was beginning to find his rhythm after a dominant seven-inning performance against the Rangers.
Cubs Rely on Pitching Depth and Potential Trades to Compensate for Steele’s Injury
With Steele sidelined, the Cubs will lean on other starting pitchers, including Shota Imanaga, who had an impressive rookie season in 2024. Additionally, Matthew Boyd has shown promise early in the season, with a strong 1.59 ERA in his first three starts.
Jameson Taillon, recovering from a tough 2024, will also be a key factor in the Cubs’ rotation. However, beyond these three, the Cubs’ rotation depth is uncertain. The team will rely on veterans and younger pitchers like Ben Brown and Colin Rea to step up, though stability is far from guaranteed.
While the Cubs have some depth in their minor league system, including pitching prospects like Cade Horton and Jordan Wicks, their major league pitching depth remains shaky. Given Steele’s injury, the Cubs may look to the trade market to add depth to their rotation, particularly if they remain competitive through the summer.
While it’s too early for a major trade, names like Sandy Alcantara and other expiring contract pitchers could become viable targets if the Cubs find themselves in contention at the trade deadline.
