The Chicago Cubs head into Spring Training with a tricky dilemma: how do they handle their ace’s return? Justin Steele went down early in the 2025 season with major elbow surgery, and now the front office must weigh their options—wait it out, or push ahead—since his recovery looks promising.
Justin Steele’s Recovery Offers Cubs a Ray of Hope
Losing Justin Steele just four starts into 2025 was brutal. He had UCL revision surgery in mid-April, which usually knocks a pitcher out for about a year.
Back then, the only goal was to get Steele healthy, and nobody wanted to guess when he’d be back. Now, with Spring Training looming, hope is creeping in.
Steele recently threw off a mound for the first time since surgery. He told Marquee Sports Network he expects to face hitters during camp, and even said he’s “ahead of schedule, if anything.” That’s got to feel good for Cubs fans.
Encouraging Signs, But No Rushing the Process
Still, nobody’s getting carried away. Dr. Keith Meister, who did Steele’s surgery, usually preaches caution.
Steele will probably have some kind of innings limit as he eases back into big league games.
Rotation Depth Gives Chicago Flexibility
The Cubs can take their time partly because their pitching depth is, frankly, pretty impressive. Chicago brings back its entire 2025 rotation and added right-hander Edward Cabrera.
This staff already has a bunch of proven or high-upside guys, which gives them some wiggle room.
Key Starters and Reinforcements
The Cubs aren’t stuck with just five options. They can shuffle arms around and keep workloads reasonable.
There’s more depth, too. Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, top prospect Jaxon Wiggins, and even non-roster guys like Connor Noland could step in if things get dicey.
Postseason Aspirations Shape the Decision
The Cubs have one big-picture goal: get Justin Steele healthy for a postseason run. If the rotation holds up, the front office might slow-walk Steele’s rehab and keep their eyes on October.
Injuries Could Change Everything
But let’s be honest, baseball loves to throw curveballs. If Imanaga, Horton, Taillon, Cabrera, or Boyd go down, the team might need Steele back sooner.
That’s the real balancing act here—winning now, but not risking the long-term future of their ace.
Why Steele Is Worth the Wait
Since mid-2022, Justin Steele has been nothing short of elite. Among pitchers with at least 300 innings in that span, only nine have posted a lower ERA.
That puts Steele right in the mix with the game’s top aces. He’s not just a reliable starter—he changes the whole equation.
The Cubs have real playoff hopes, and how they manage Steele’s recovery could shape the entire season. They probably won’t lock in a plan until Spring Training opens, when they can actually see how Steele’s doing and get a read on the rest of the pitching staff’s health.
Here is the source article for this story: Latest On Justin Steele’s Rehab
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