BALTIMORE — Left-hander Justin Steele is taking the next step in returning to the Chicago Cubs this season.
The timing of his remaining throwing progression, though, will likely prevent Steele from making it back as a starter in 2026. Steele, sidelined by a flexor strain since late April, visited Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Monday for a follow-up exam to confirm he could continue with his throwing progression. Meister, who performed his elbow surgery in April 2025, gave the OK for Steele to move forward.
Steele is scheduled to start throwing off a mound the first week of August, manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday. Given how many steps he still needs to complete before coming off the injured list, including multiple bullpens, live batting practice and a rehab assignment, Counsell acknowledged that for Steele, “stretching out as a starter is really not realistic with the calendar.”
“The schedule is very tight with Justin, and it doesn’t leave (room) for a lot of things to happen, there’s no question about it,” Counsell said.
If everything goes smoothly for Steele in the coming weeks, the lefty could become a valuable reliever for the Cubs in late September and, they envision, into the playoffs. There are obviously some unknowns about what that might look like for a pitcher who hasn’t appeared in a big-league game since April 7, 2025.
The Cubs hope their bullpen will be bolstered in the coming weeks as pitchers continue to get healthy.
However, right-hander Hunter Harvey is not among the arms trending in the right direction. Harvey, 31, has appeared in just four games because of right triceps inflammation that has sidelined him since April 9. He remains on a throwing program at the team’s complex in Mesa, Arizona, but it’s unclear if Harvey will be able to pitch again for the Cubs this season.
“He’s missed a lot of time, so I think the concern is real,” Counsell said. “We haven’t been able to just start something and keep going. So at some point we’re just going to have to do that and see where that gets us, and that’s kind of what we’re doing right now.”
The Cubs are seeing some positive developments among their other injured relievers.
Right-hander Phil Maton (right knee tendinitis) is nearing a return after making a rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Maton threw 1 2/3 shutout innings without allowing a hit or walk and struck out three batters. He’s expected to pitch in one more rehab outing before the All-Star break and likely be activated shortly after the second half begins.
Left-hander Riley Martin (flexor strain) is continuing his throwing progression in Arizona and is trending to return in late August.
Ethan Roberts’ right forearm inflammation has improved to the point of throwing a bullpen Wednesday. The Cubs want to make sure he recovers well, but for now the expectation is Roberts will throw another bullpen, potentially a longer one, before the All-Star break. There is also a scenario if Roberts is really feeling well following Wednesday’s bullpen session of potentially starting a rehab assignment.
