The bear lost its ace South Claw Justin Steele In the year he announced last week that he needed an elbow surgery at the end of the season, Steele didn’t really get into trouble until Friday. Before today's game against the Rattlers, the manager Craig Counsell The post-operative status of Steele has been updated with reporters (including Jordan Bastian of MLB.com) and has provided some positive news for Chicago fans. Bastian notes that Bear describes Steele's program as a “Revised and Repair” UCL's left elbow. The surgery with Tommy John completely replaced UCL, which is a less serious procedure. Counsell suggested that Steele's initial schedule for the recovery action was about one year, suggesting he could return to the mound earlier in the 2026 season.
This is good news for the Cubs and Steele, especially since Steele had Tommy John's surgery early in his career. The second Tommy John's surgery usually rehabilitates on the longer side of the typical 12- to 18-month recovery schedule, with occasional longer layoffs. If Steele Jacob DeGrom When he returned from his second Tommy John surgery last September after nearly 17 months of recovery.
Fortunately, this is not the case, and the Cubs will be able to plan for the 2026 campaign with reasonable expectations, and Steele will be a big part of the rotation next year, just like the situation after the Braves Spencer Strider An internal support program was conducted early in the 2024 season, and the schedule for this program was similar. Framber Valdez,,,,, Zach Gallenand Dylan stops It is one of the few spinning weapons that they are highly sought after after this winter, but Steele's goal in early 2026 may make the Cubs less willing to participate in the market for these pitchers, especially when they decide to throw their free agents into a long-term deal with Star Outfieldelfielderder Kyle Tucker.
While the Cubs can expect Steele to pitch for the club again in 2026, the blow from short-term rotation depth could still lead them to seeking help from pitching this summer. The cubs are temporarily focused on internal solutions, Colin Rea He has been playing effective (although briefly) with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks since opening in the bullpen, during which he surrendered twice and struck out ten strikeouts in the 8 1/3 innings work. Sensational production cannot last forever, but has top prospects Cade Horton Having hit 37.5% of the opponents in Triple-A, it is at least likely that the Cubs will enter July's game with their rotation in the extended game.
If reinforcements are ultimately needed, then enough weapons should be available during the deadline Sandy Alcantara Stand out as the most frequently discussed name. In addition to Alcantara, players like it Taylor Anderson,,,,, Seth Lugo,,,,, Chris Bassittand Michael Lorenson All of this is theoretically available in the trade market, depending on where their respective clubs are in the standings this summer. Except for Alcantara, every player can become a free agent after the 2025 season. Given that Steele is expected to be in most and every 2026 season shota imanaga,,,,, Matthew Boydand Jameson Taillon The contract has been signed next year, and the club can choose Rea.
