Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced Tuesday that left-handed pitcher Justin Steele has experienced a setback in his comeback from Tommy John surgery and has been forced to stop throwing.
The 30-year-old pitcher, whose last appearance on the mound came on April 7, 2025, had been progressing toward a potential return in the final weeks of May or beginning of June. However, a left elbow flexor strain has now halted his throwing routine entirely.
Medical staff will reassess Steele’s condition in approximately four weeks, though the exact timeline for his eventual return remains uncertain. This development further depletes Chicago’s pitching depth, as the team is already missing right-handed pitcher Cade Horton, who is also recovering from Tommy John surgery.
This marks Steele’s second Tommy John procedure throughout his baseball career. His first surgery occurred years ago while he was developing in Chicago’s minor league system.
When healthy, Steele has proven to be a reliable performer for Chicago. The pitcher earned All-Star recognition in 2023 and placed fifth in National League Cy Young Award balloting that same year. Throughout his major league career spanning 102 appearances with 91 starts, he has compiled a 32-22 win-loss record alongside a 3.30 earned run average.
