Cubs get good news on Justin Steele amid projected bullpen return

The Chicago Cubs are in dire need of pitching help this season amid a slew of injuries and struggling options in both the rotation and the bullpen.

With the Cubs likely looking to land some help at the deadline for their pitching staff, they could be getting some help from an internal move.

As USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared, Cubs left-hander Justin Steele, who's been on the injured list all year, is expected to start throwing off a mound in August, indicating his return to the club, likely in the bullpen, is not too far off if all goes well.

Cubs lefty Justin Steele making big step in return to MLB

"Chicago Cubs ace Justin Steele, who hasn't pitched since April 7, 2025, is expected to start throwing off a mound the first week of August, but Cubs manager Craig Counsell said it will be too late in the season for him to rejoin the rotation and instead would be used in the bullpen in September," Nightengale writes.

The Cubs lefty has been working his way back for a while now, and is finally making some strides towards a return, with this August date key.

Steele might not be ready to return to the Majors until September, but simply getting him back for the end of the year and a postseason run would be huge.

He's been sidelined for a long time due to an elbow issue, and is finally taking a step in the right direction with this mound work and throwing program in August.

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It's fitting that Steele's throwing program begins in August, as the MLB trade deadline is on August 3. The Cubs, looking to make a move for pitching help, might be getting one in the form of Justin Steele.

He won't be ready to go for a while, but being able to bring him back into the fold would be huge. The 3.30 ERA All-Star left-hander is closing in on a return, with this update from Nightengale exactly what the Cubs love to hear.

Steele joining this team, even in a limited bullpen role, would be massive. The Cubs need all of the pitching help they can get, and Steele could be a postseason secret weapon if he's able to come back when Nightengale notes he's projected to return.

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