The Cubs placed left-hander Justin Steele on the 15-day injured list due to a left forearm strain. The placement is retroactive to June 1. Taking Steele’s spot on the active roster is catcher Miguel Amaya, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa.
As detailed in reports earlier today, the MRI on Steele’s forearm revealed no structural damage, leaving even some possibility that Steele might miss a start but avoid doing on the injured list altogether. However, it appears as though the Cubs have decided to err on the side of caution, which is understandable given the larger-scale injuries that can be associated with forearm problems. For now, it would seem possible that Steele might be able to return after the minimum 15 days, making this IL stint perhaps just a blip in what has been an otherwise excellent season for the 27-year-old southpaw.
Steele has a 2.65 ERA over 12 starts and 68 innings, along with a strong 5.9% walk rate and an elite 28% hard-hit ball rate. Steele’s 21.4% strikeout rate is well below average, but his ability to both keep the ball on the ground (48.4% grounder rate) and induce soft contact has been a winning recipe for success, and even a step up from his quality numbers in 2021-22.
The forearm problem arose during Steele’s start on Wednesday, as he was perfect over three innings against the Pirates before being removed from the game. Hayden Wesneski is slated to take Steele’s spot in the rotation, and Wesneski is scheduled to start on Tuesday against the Angels.
Amaya made his MLB debut by playing in six games for Chicago earlier this season, and the former top-100 prospect will now get another look at the big league level. With Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart taking up the catching duties, it remains to be seen how much playing time Amaya might get during this latest stint in the Show, and it might end up being a relatively brief stay until the Cubs feel the need to call up a fresh arm.
It’s the smart play. Where the Cubs are at right now there isn’t any need to be reckless. Plus it just gives more guys who might make a difference a Major League Cup of Coffee. They did just fine doing that last year.
Sounds like the same thing as Fried. With Steel it’s “erring on the side of caution.” apparently; but with Fried it was “this typically is a precursor to Tommy John surgery”. It’s certainly not a minor deal like they make it sound like
Rishi, we don’t know yet if it’s minor or major.
Uncle——I’m totally with you on the cup of coffee thing….my only issue with it is that Brown is the only “hey, let’s get a look at him” guy that is on the 40 man roster.
Whether it be Horton or Little or Wicks or fill in the blank….I’m sure the Cubs have a preferred path and timeline chiseled out for all the potential future…the math still exists that they need to create a 40 man spot for any of them becoming coming up.
Oh, and I have a few guys that I would launch, it not quite as simple as playing checkers.
They’ll use Wesneski for at least one start. And I hope Amaya’s stay is longer than a cup of coffee. No bat Barnhart is killing them.
Wesneski raved about how much he liked Amaya behind the plate when he pitched and was working with him in AAA, I’m sure that plays a major part as to why he got called up.
No as much as Wesneski might love Amaya, Gomes is his best path to success. I think it’s more that Ross loves his 3 Catcher set up and Amaya doesn’t seem to have anything left to prove. I still feel embarrassed I suggested launching him. Anyway Rios and Mastrobuoni need to go and Madrigal needs to come back up and Mervis needs to go down for more AB’s and a strike zone refresher course. Jared Young can come up for a bit. Rios and Mastrobuoni are just in the way. Bellinger should be ready to come back and Tauchman can stay as he’s been valuable. Barnhart is still valuable defensively so he’ll be here until at least the deadline I bet. That kid Guzman that they got from the Tigers for McKinstry is impressing me. They moved him from High A to AA and he’s been good both places. Trying to figure out why they gave up on him.
That line up last night was ridiculous. I hate how Ross pencils in a “no chance” line up what seems to be a couple times per week.
Rios needs to be traded to team that doesn’t mind him playing everyday. He has potential but he isn’t a guy who can play here and there if you expect him to hit.
Mastrobuoni doesn’t make any sense to me, I think I’d rather see Bote.
I can only assume the Cubs are trying to work with Madrigal on getting him to hit the ball in the air. He just keeps chopping the ball into the ground vs hitting line drives.
I still think Amaya catches Wesneski on his next start. I’m excited about Amaya, I think he has the potential to be just like Gomes. The pitching staff has also responded really well to Barnhart so despite his lack of hitting, I don’t hate seeing him behind the dish. I just wish Ross wouldn’t think when Barnhart is catching that it’s also a good time to play Mastrobuoni and Rios with all the offensive struggles we have had.
Amen drascoo—-I’m pretty much getting to the line of thinking it’s not a good time to play Mastrobuoni and Rios even if Johnny Bench were catching for Cubs.
Ross continuing to use guys for more than one inning is getting nauseating. It’s been a massive fail EVERY time he’s tried it Fullmer came in, Did a nice job, then came out for the second inning and started walking people. Estrada came in and everything was high and the inevitable happened. He just needs to keep the ball down. His stuff is great but all he threw was high fastballs. Not sure whether to blame him or Barnhart. The Cubs need another Lefty in the pen so Horn or Little should come up. Brown and Heuer haven’t been very sharp lately. Sanders was good until he got rocked his last outing. Some changes have to be made, But if Ross is going to keep managing like that……. Is it really going to help?
I’m Just curious what Hoyer thinks when he sees a line up that has 4 guys hitting under .200 in a line up
I hope he throws up like we do.
Good idea to give Steele a break. He’s on pace for far more innings than he’s ever thrown in a professional season.
Just in time. Lex Luthor was just about to blow his cover