Justin Steele Shut Down with Flexor Strain, Will Be Re-Evaluated Next Month
There had been some low-level buzz about Justin Steele‘s rehab, but everything was kept hush-hush until Craig Counsell spilled the beans during a Tuesday appearance on 104.3 The Score. Speaking with Spiegel & Holmes, the manager explained that Steele suffered a flexor strain and has been shut down from throwing. He’ll be re-evaluated in a month, but coming back by his original target of late May seems highly unlikely.
“It’s a setback, there’s no question about it, and it’s going to lengthen his return to play,” Counsell said.
Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (elbow) has been diagnosed with a flexor strain and will be re-evaluated in a month, manager Craig Counsell told @SpiegsAndHolmes.
“It’s a setback, there’s no question about it,” Counsell says. “It’s going to lengthen his return-to-play.” pic.twitter.com/1qfO5YOukl
— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) April 28, 2026
The Cubs are always good about putting a positive spin on these things, and this situation is no different.
“You have to look at this as a positive,” Counsell explained. “Like, we didn’t get news that Justin is out for the year. He’s got an opportunity to pitch for the Cubs this year and we’re planning on him pitching for the Cubs later this season. It’s going to be a little later now than we were planning on it, but it’s still going to happen. So, that’s how I’m looking at it.”
That’s really the only way you can look at it, as anything else would just lead you to spiral. The other bright side, if it’s even fair to say, is that the Cubs obviously haven’t gotten anything from Steele this season. They were hopeful that he’d be back by June, especially with the way his recovery was progressing over the winter, but there was simply no way to bank on anything.
Now the hope shifts to no further setbacks and a second-half return.
Update: Counsell told reporters in San Diego that Steele underwent imaging on Tuesday that showed no issues with his elbow. It was just a matter of feeling some tightness in his forearm following a bullpen, so the Cubs are being cautious. Counsell confirmed that the expectation is for Steele to come back after the All-Star break.
I remain guardedly optimistic at best, and I’m hoping this is indeed a minor setback.
