Chicago Cubs manager issues update on Justin Steele, time frame for rehab and comeback

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell issued an update on ace lefty Justin Steele and his rehab plans, as well as a general idea of when the team could see him take the mound again.

The 29-year-old Steele, as revealed to media, did not undergo Tommy John Surgery as was widely reported.

Per Marquee Sports Network:

“Steele had a left ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) revision repair operation under Dr. Keith Meister. It wasn’t Tommy John surgery – a reconstruction of the UCL – but Steele will still be out through 2025.”

An Update On Justin Steele

Prior to Saturday’s game with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Counsell met with media to share details of the procedure and give a general idea of how long the Cubs’ pitcher will be out of commission.

“We’re looking at kind of about a year time frame,” Counsell said. “Obviously, he’s got a long rehab ahead of him, and he’ll get started soon and he’ll put all the work in, and we’ll see where that gets us.”

Steele, who had the season-ending surgery on Friday, will soon be headed down to Mesa, Arizona to begin the rehab process at the team’s complex.

In a social media post, shared on Twitter/X shortly following his surgery, the Cubs standout starter shared a hospital bed photo of himself, giving the thumbs up sign with his right and, as his left arm wrested in a brace.

“Appreciate the prayers and thoughts,” Steele wrote. “God is good.”

Appreciate the prayers and thoughts.. God is good pic.twitter.com/7ovr23GEtT

— Justin Steele (@J_Steele21) April 18, 2025

Details On Steele’s Surgery

Steele’s UCL surgery was less invasive and complicated than a full-on Tommy John reconstruction of the UCL. According to EW Motion Therapy, basic recovery time could take from four to six months for a return to normal activities and up to a year “to fully heal and regain its original strength.” Full Tommy John surgery, however, would’ve required from 12 to 18 months for a return to original strength.

Per Marquee Sports Network, Cubs reliever Ethan Roberts underwent the same surgical procedure as Steele in late 2022, missed all of 2023, but was able to pitch again early in the 2024 season.

The Chicago Cubs’ Big Dilemma

The Cubs’ task is now to fill Steele’s big spot atop the starting rotation. For now, so early into the season and so far away from the trade deadline, the team will have to find a replacement internally until teams begin to make their top pitching talent available for trade.

As of right now, veteran swing man Colin Rea is taking Steele’s spot in the rotation and has accounted well for himself in two starts. Over the long haul, however, Chicago will have to pursue a true elite-level starter if they intend to be a playoff team working deep into the postseason.

In a recent appearance on MLB Network radio, former New York Mets GM Steve Phillips talked about just how hard it will be to replace Steele.

“He was 5th in Cy Young voting in 2023. He’s an underrated ace of this staff. Now they’re going to have to find a way to navigate their way through it without him…This is a big blow for a team where there’s pressure to win.” Phillips said. “You can have as much depth as you want, you can build depth to replace the numbers of pitchers but not the impact of pitcher. You don’t have a number one starter to replace your number one starter. You’ll have to piece it together and everyone is going to have to give it a little bit more right now.”