The Chicago Cubs are hitting a nerve-wracking point in their 2025 season, and it all centers around their ace, Justin Steele. The 29-year-old lefty, who’s been a rock in Chicago’s rotation, is dealing with a flare-up in his elbow, something that had briefly sidelined him last year. After getting an MRI, Steele found out it’s the same tendinitis issue, and now he’s getting a second opinion. That alone says a lot about how uncertain things feel right now.
Justin Steele Raises Alarm With Elbow Tightness as Cubs Brace for What’s Next
Just a few days ago, Steele looked sharp, tossing seven scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers. But he mentioned some tightness in his elbow during the game, which was initially brushed off as a reaction to the cold weather.
When the discomfort didn’t go away, the Cubs put him on the 15-day injury list. They were hoping it’d be a quick break. But now? With him seeking more medical input, there’s growing concern — and yes, people are starting to whisper about the possibility of Tommy John surgery.
Manager Craig Counsell didn’t want to jump to conclusions when he talked to reporters before the Cubs’ April 11 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“He’s going to get some more opinions on it,” Counsell said. “We’re kind of dealing with the same thing he was last year, and for that reason, Justin wants to make sure, and we want to make sure, that we get the right information moving forward. So he’s going to get another opinion and then go from there.”
This isn’t Steele’s first time dealing with elbow issues; he had Tommy John surgery back in 2017 and missed time last September due to this same tendinitis. But he bounced back then and helped anchor the rotation down the stretch. In fact, over the last three seasons, he’s put together a solid 3.10 ERA over 78 starts and even earned an All-Star nod.
When asked if the 29-year old pitcher is going toward Tommy John surgery, the Cubs manager simply said, “There’s no decisions right now. Justin wants to get all the information. He wants to get another opinion. So until we do that, I think we got to wait for that and let him use all the information to decide what’s next.”
The timing of this setback couldn’t be worse for the Cubs. They’re off to a solid 9-7 start and have real postseason hopes, but Steele is a huge part of that. Losing him, even temporarily, is a major blow.
“Justin Steele’s one of a kind, right?” Cubs’ left-hander Matthew Boyd told reporters in Los Angeles after the Cubs’ 3-0 loss to the Dodgers on Friday night. “And, regardless of whatever the time that he’s out, whatever that may be, you can’t replace Justin Steele because he’s one of one. He’s really talented.”
Still, the Cubs are trying to stay positive and focused. Boyd also mentioned the “next man up” mentality, and the team does have some depth to lean on. Colin Rea could step in, and Jordan Wicks might be on the way—he was scratched from his scheduled Triple-A start, which could mean a call-up is coming.
“That being said, it’s that next man up mentality,” the former Detroit Tigers pitcher said. “And we have a very, very, talented rotation. We have a lot of experience, and we also have a lot of young guys that are very talented.”
“For however long that Justin’s going to be down for, we have guys that can step up and perform in those roles,” the 34-year-old pitcher said. “We’re excited for that. The championship teams, that’s what has to happen. That’s what we’ll do, and we’re lucky that we have depth.”
For now, the Cubs and their fans are stuck in waiting mode. Steele getting another opinion is a smart, careful move, but it’s hard not to feel anxious about what might come next.
One thing’s for sure: How this plays out could end up being the defining storyline of the Cubs’ season.