Cubs ace Justin Steele faces season-ending elbow surgery
- Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele will have surgery to repair his left elbow, sidelining him for the entirety of the season.
- The left-hander initially experienced discomfort after a game and was placed on the injured list due to tendonitis.
- The Cubs now face significant challenges in their rotation as they cope with the loss of their ace player.
In the United States, Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele has suffered a major setback in his career, as he is set to undergo surgery to repair the flexor tendon and UCL in his left elbow. The injury comes after Steele was placed on the limited injured list due to left elbow tendonitis, a condition that sidelined him briefly in September of the previous year. Following his performance where he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers, discomfort arose, reportedly due to the cold weather conditions at Wrigley Field. An MRI later confirmed his injuries were more severe than initially suspected. Manager Craig Counsell expressed his sympathy for Steele, acknowledging the challenges that come with being a major league pitcher, pointing out the injuries that often occur. He emphasized the importance of having a positive attitude and taking it one step at a time for a successful recovery. The procedure is crucial for Steele, who performed well in the 2023 season but has had previous serious injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2017. The Cubs will miss Steele's contributions on the mound as he completed the 2023 season with strong stats, holding a 3.10 ERA across 78 starts from 2022 to 2024 and finishing fifth in National League Cy Young Award voting after obtaining a record of 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 2023. With Steele out, Colin Rea is set to take his place in the rotation for the time being, while Javier Assad, who is starting a minor league rehabilitation assignment, could fill in when he returns from his own injury. The seriousness of Steele's injury and the upcoming surgery pose significant concerns for the Cubs' rotation moving forward. Waiting until 2026 for a full recovery is a heavy burden for the team and fans alike, as there are significant expectations for the upcoming seasons. As the Cubs face adjustments without their ace, the organization remains focused on providing support for Steele during this challenging time.