Justin Steele not making Cubs looming decision any easier
Justin Steele has been quite vocal about his plans for the remainder of the 2026 season: He expects to be back with the Chicago Cubs. That goal comes despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2025 and dealing with a flexor strain during his recovery this summer.
Right now, though, Steele is pitching more like someone auditioning for a role, and he is not making Chicago’s looming decision any easier. On Friday night, he delivered two scoreless innings where he didn’t allow a hit, walked one, and struck out five.
In total he threw 33 pitches, 19 of which went for strikes. He generated five whiffs, with four coming on his slider and one on his fastball, which sat at 90.2 MPH.
Will Justin Steele get the Shelby Miller treatment from the Chicago Cubs?

Steele wasn’t the only Cubs pitcher attempting to make his way back this season following Tommy John surgery. Shelby Miller found himself in a similar situation, working his way through a lengthy recovery in hopes of contributing before the end of the 2026 season. However, Chicago recently shut Miller down, opting instead to have him focus on getting fully healthy and preparing for next year.
It’s possible Steele could ultimately face the same fate. While he has made it clear that he wants to return to the Cubs this season, the organization will have to weigh that desire against the bigger picture. As Craig Counsell pointed out “He’s (Steele) still new in this pitching season”; meaning even though he looks good on rehab, thrusting him into highly emotional and stressful playoff environment may not be what’s best.
For now, Steele’s continued progression will be worth watching closely. If the Cubs believe he can contribute without putting his long-term health at risk, a late-season return could remain on the table. But if they determine that there is little benefit in pushing him back for a handful of games, Chicago could follow the same approach it took with Miller and shift Steele’s focus toward being fully ready for the 2027 season.
The post Justin Steele not making Cubs looming decision any easier appeared first on ChiCitySports.
Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-justin-steele-impressing-in-rehab/
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