From dominant starts to a sudden halt, the Chicago Cubs have just hit a major crisis at the worst possible time. In an unfortunate development, a key rotation piece of the Cubs has been sidelined. Their left-handed starter, who pitched seven scoreless innings, was interrupted by an elbow injury setback following Monday’s clash against the Texas Rangers. As a result, the Cubs not only lost a reliable arm but also the driving force of their pitching staff.
Cubs’ 29-year-old pitcher, Justin Steele, has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow tendonitis. The news broke on April 9, 2025, and took the internet by storm because the timing couldn’t be any worse. In the aftermath, the first name that the Cubs recalled to fill in Steele’s shoes is right-handed relief pitcher Ethan Roberts.
The Cubs have placed Justin Steele on 15-day IL with left elbow tendonitis, per @MLBBruceLevine. pic.twitter.com/4Zr4OjkkG7
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) April 9, 2025
Steele’s last start on the field was against the Texas Rangers, where he posted the best start of the year with seven scoreless innings and eight strikeouts. However, midway through his outing, he started feeling some tightness, but even that couldn’t stop his flawless performance. “I was wanting to continue to pitch. I wanted to keep going,” he said. In that moment, he may have thought the tightness would fade away on its own, but when it didn’t even the next day, he had to seek help, resulting in him being placed on the injury list.
This isn’t the first time Steele has been sidelined due to an elbow injury. He had to sit out plenty of games last season due to the same ailment. He even added post-game that, “it’s a similar feeling.” Cubs manager Craig Counsell later confirmed that Steele’s injury from last year has still not recovered fully, as he is showing symptoms. He is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday; until then, all we can do is pray for early recovery.
Elbow tendonitis often occurs from continuous throwing stress, as it did for Steele. As he focuses on his recovery, he isn’t expected back on the mound till April 24. It’ll be a day off for the Cubs. This means he will most likely get back into action on April 25. However, it’s still uncertain if he will return him to the mound when the Cubs host the Philadelphia Phillies. Hopefully, it’ll just be a brief stint before we see Steele thriving again.
Cubs Nation didn’t hold back with their frustration towards Justin Steele’s injury
The announcement of Steele landing on the 15-day injured list has triggered a wave of divided opinions from Cubs Nation. Well, of course, since Steele has been the backbone of the Cubs’ rotation, and being in the make-or-break stretch of the season, this injury feels like no less than a gut punch to the fanbase. While some are trying to understand the sensitivity of the injury and wishing Steele a speedy recovery, others are simply blaming the franchise or Steele himself.
One fan downright questioned Steele’s long-term durability with the Cubs:
Where is his own elbow training program or the Cubs training staff’s program? Steele is getting paid crazy money for this output. Is he really going to be a long term pitcher for this organization?
— Tony Byers (@iualum86) April 9, 2025
Many raised concerns that this injury could become a pattern, and it could probably hinder Steele from being with the Cubs for a longer run. Another fan simply expressed his sense of hopelessness with this season:
And just like that, the season is over
— Starlin Castro (@StarlinMarlin1) April 9, 2025
Dramatic? Sure. But can we really blame the fans that has witnessed a curveball of injuries in just one season? Not to mention, it’s just been a few weeks, and we have the entire remaining season ahead. Without Steele, the Cubs’ competitive edge will be severely affected. Another fan held onto hope and stated:
Starting rotation not looking too good now for sure. Hopefully he won’t be gone too long.
— Tommy Jones (@DwayneJ76680508) April 9, 2025
At least some are hopeful because there are even those who are on the brutal end of the spectrum, calling him “made out of glass”,
Jeez this kid made out of glass.
— Fabe (@albarran_fabian) April 9, 2025
That was definitely a harsh way to put it. But the perspective behind it was that Steele is injury-prone. Let’s just hope that’s not the case here. Then there was a fan who reflected on the collective mood of the entire Cubs’ nation at the moment:
Well this sucks… especially w this next 2 week stretch
— El Hugó Frēz (@AlwaysSonnyinAU) April 9, 2025
Yeah, the injury was too unfortunate. But the timing? Could it be any worse, given the crucial matchups ahead? Additionally, the pressure on the rest of the Cubs’ rotation is going to be inevitable with Steele’s absence.
In the end, all Cubs’ Nation really wants is to see their ace back on the field. And this time, stronger than ever.
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