They say hope springs eternal in baseball—but the Cubs just tripped over its shoelaces and landed on the injured list. With one swift, surgical blow, the North Side’s carefully stacked rotation cards have been scattered in the wind, and the front office suddenly looks less like chess masters and more like guys playing Jenga during an earthquake. The warning signs? Oh, they’re blinking in neon now.
Justin Steele was one of the guys who was leading the pitching rotation for the Chicago Cubs, and he was doing an awesome job at it. He suffered a UCL injury while pitching against the Rangers, which ultimately brought his season to an end. This setback could significantly impact the Cubs’ rotation depth and overall performance as the season progresses.
During the MLB Radio show, MLB insider Steve Phillips discussed Steele’s injury and its impact on the Cubs’ rotation. He said, “You know, he’s an underrated ace of a staff. And now they’re going to have to try to find a way to navigate their way through it without him.”
“He is an underrated ace.”@StevePhillipsGM reacts to the news that Justin Steele will undergo season-ending elbow surgery.#Cubs | #BeHereForIt
https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/r1M1WH9SIS
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) April 14, 2025
Underrated is just the right word for Steele. After looking at his stats for the past two seasons, there is no way people don’t rate him. In 2023, he ended the season with a record of 16-5, an ERA of 3.06, and 176 strikeouts. These numbers are a dream for many pitchers. Even in 2024, his stats were very similar. He ended the season with a record of 5-5, an ERA of 3.07, and 135 strikeouts.
There are not many who can back Steele up in the Cubs rotation, and with other pitchers like Tyson Miller and Ryan Brasier injured, it is going to get difficult for the Cubs. Miller suffered a left hip impingement and is currently in rehab with a triple-A club. And Brasier suffered a left groin strain and was placed on the 15-day IL list. Even though he has resumed playing catch, he has not specified a timeline for his return.
So yes, the Cubs aren’t just missing an ace—they’re missing the ace. And the replacements? Let’s just say this rotation now looks more like a group project without a group leader. If the front office doesn’t pull a rabbit—and a reliable arm—out of its hat soon, the only thing getting struck out at Wrigley might be postseason hopes.
If not Justin Steele, then who for the Chicago Cubs?
It’s a cruel twist of fate when your ace goes from the mound to the MRI table in one week flat. The Cubs, who were flirting with contention, now find themselves swiping right on desperation. With Steele shelved for the season, the rotation’s burden shifts to Shota Imanaga and a few others who are going to be feeling the pressure.
Steele struggled to find his rhythm in the 2025 season, as his season ended with him having an ERA of 4.76. But he did have a 3-1 record and 21 strikeouts. Replacing him will be difficult, but the Windy City isn’t without any prospects. Imanaga is the leader of the lineup, and he will be doing his best, but the line behind him has to step up.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 27: Shota Imanaga #18 of the Chicago Cubs warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day at Chase Field on March 27, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
First on the list is Jameson Taillon, who has not had the best of starts, but his experience might do the trick. He has a record of 1-1 with a massive ERA of 6.06 in just 16.1 innings pitched. His presence will stabilize the rotation a bit and might give the Cubs some confidence.
Another contender is Matthew Boyd. He has started the season with an ERA of 7.71 and a record of 1-1. This might look bad, but Boyd has not been able to find his rhythm. The Cubs will have to help him find it faster as that is the need of the hour for them.
…and if Boyd’s rhythm doesn’t show up soon, the Cubs might start playing a different tune—one in a minor key. With Steele out, the rotation resembles less of a fortress and more of a house of cards in a wind tunnel. Imanaga can’t carry the load alone, and unless the rest of the staff levels up fast, Wrigley’s biggest sell this summer might be hope, not wins.
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