CHICAGO — Justin Steele stood at his Wrigley Field locker before Tuesday’s game, rejoining the Chicago Cubs for the next phase of a long recovery period. The TV cameras briefly captured an encouraging scene of the lefty pitcher back in the clubhouse where he developed into an All-Star.At this point, though, Steele shouldn’t be expected to save the season, even with all the injuries piling up. If, as expected, he begins a ramp-up program next week, he will have gone roughly two months without throwing a baseball.Still, Steele and club officials see an opportunity for him to make an impact.“He’s got runway,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He probably can’t afford setbacks.”“I’d say ‘hopeful,’” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “‘Optimism’ might be strong.”

Steele last pitched in a major-league game on April 7, 2025. That month, he underwent season-ending surgery on his left elbow. By spring training, the Cubs were targeting late May or early June for his return to the 2026 rotation.Steele, who had undergone Tommy John surgery as a prospect in Chicago’s farm system, experienced a setback in April. He was diagnosed with a flexor strain that shut down his throwing program and shrank the margin for error in his attempt to come back as a major-league starter this year.“It’s always tricky during these rehab processes, because it’s never going to be sunshine and rainbows every single day,” Steele said. “Some days, you’re going to feel better than others, so it’s kind of hard to thread that needle of knowing exactly what’s going on.”To track his progress and get a better feel for the situation, the Cubs are planning for Steele to be around the major-league club for approximately three weeks. After that, they should have a clearer timeline for his minor-league rehab assignment and when he could be activated.Steele, who will turn 31 next month, is scheduled to be an arbitration-eligible player in 2027, which would mark his final season before becoming a free agent.“The objective is still the same,” Steele said. “I want to pitch in games this year. I want to pitch in meaningful games. I just want to pitch, honestly. The competitor in me wants to be out there.”Jun 17, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms