Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele left his Opening Day start early on Thursday after fielding a bunt and falling as he flipped the ball to first base. He seemed to be holding his left hamstring as he walked off the field, per Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. The team later confirmed to reporters (including Sharma) that Steele exited the game with left hamstring tightness.
After the game, a 4-3 loss to the Rangers in extra innings, Cubs manager Craig Counsell used the word “strain” to describe Steele’s injury (per Sharma). He added that the All-Star left-hander will likely go on the injured list, but as Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune notes, the skipper would not speculate about how much time Steele could miss. The southpaw will undergo an MRI on Friday (per Montemurro), after which the team will likely have a better idea about the severity of his injury and how long he might spend on the IL.
Counsell told reporters, including Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, that the team does not yet have a plan for who will take Steele’s spot in the rotation. Left-hander Drew Smyly and right-hander Hayden Wesneski seem to be the most likely candidates, given their presence on the 40-man roster and recent experience pitching out of the big league rotation. Smyly, 34, made 23 starts for the Cubs last year, while Wesneski, 26, made 11. However, Smyly found success in a bullpen role down the stretch in 2023; he made some starts this spring but was largely preparing to start the season as a reliever. Meanwhile, Wesneski struggled tremendously as a starter last year (5.51 ERA, 6.26 FIP) and looked even worse in six outings (four starts) this spring.
Ben Brown, 24, is one more name on the 40-man roster to keep an eye on. He transitioned to a bullpen role last season, but he has recent starting experience and looked sharper than either Smyly or Wesneski this spring. What’s more, his move to the bullpen may have simply been a way to accelerate his path to the major leagues, not a permanent change. He was quite good in 19 minor league starts last season, pitching to a 3.81 ERA and racking up 120 strikeouts in only 85 innings pitched. However, his lack of experience may work against him; Brown has yet to make his MLB debut.
Whether it is Smyly, Wesneski, Brown, or another arm entirely, the Cubs have a difficult decision to make before what would have been Steele’s next turn in the rotation: the final game of the home opener series against the Rockies on Wednesday, April 3.
Damn dude this is ridiculous. Recover soon.
Not to mention max Kepler and Royce Lewis also both left the game early for the twins. Injuries just keep piling up man and it’s so disheartening. Next man up sure, but soon we will be having nothing but minor Leaguers play well before they are ready to do so stunting their development. There might be a few Michal Harris types in the groups of call ups but a lot will need that extra time in the minors. It’s so sad and ridiculous how many injuries during spring training and now on opening day already that we’ve seen.
Must be the pitch clock…some would say
By the way what’s with the replay not being able to review the foul ball by Mastrobuoni? Why isn’t every play reviewable? For those who say it would slow down the game, I say that you only get one a game until you’re wrong. So if you want to waste it in the first inning on a foul ball then you’re an idiot. But in the 9th inning anything should be on the table if it affects the outcome of the game. The umpires are getting worse and worse and the time for automatic strikes is here. There are so many bad umpires now that I think there are more bad ones than good ones. They’re horrible, And that’s being nice.
Everyone else has forearm tightness. The NL central has hamstring strains. Condolences.
Sudden twists and turns and torque on joints.
He was dealing, too. Speedy recovery!!
Steele is legit and it’s a shame this is how his year started. I’m sure I’m not the only fan of a NL Central rival who saw this dude last year and went home questioning the laws of physics.
Mike Clevinger is still available and quite affordable. Ideal? No. But they could do a whole lot worse. Only if Steele is gonna be out like 6-8 weeks or more.
It would probably take Clevinger almost as long to ramp up as it would for Steele to recover. Hopefully.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously slow healing…
if we’re going to go for Clevinger and the accusations he’s been through, we might as well go for Bauer¯\_(ツ)_/¯
At least Bauer has been proven innocent
When? By whom?
Bauer himself show text messages proving he was innocent. However in his 3 starts this year for KBO
15IP
26 Hits
14 Runs allowed
8.40 ERA
Clevinger was investigated and no penalty given. He received his full pay. Bauer was given the longest suspension in MLB history. Not the same thing.
Clevinger never openly criticized MLB. That’s the difference.
Hamstring pulls are usually the result of poor conditioning.
If jogging/running, yes. But this was not that type of play.
Portly pulls
And you’ll have a neck strain looking up all season from the cellar.
This is the next chapter in the Bauer redemption arc.
I was hoping the Giants would sign Bauer, but we probably don’t need him now. Cubs could probably use him, after today.
And it begins…
Well it didn’t take the Bauer fools long to make an appearance. Not sure which way the Cubs will go. Since Smyly pitched tonight he could just slide into Steele’s spot and the Cubs bring up a reliever. Or they leave Smyly in the pen and they bring up Wesneski or Brown. It’ll be interesting to see. The one thing I can guarantee won’t happen is they sign someone who isn’t in the system already. Not the greatest start to the season but they’ll survive.
Fools, or people understanding forgiveness? The state of MLB, pertaining to who’s allowed to play and who is not, is hypocritical at-best.
Nobody has to agree with Bauer’s personal life. But let’s not pretend what he did is/was worse than others who are allowed to take your money and live a lavish lifestyle being an MLB player.
If you want to watch Bauer so bad you should: 1. Subscribe to Japanese TV- 2. Move to Japan and watch him- 3- Because he ain’t pitching here.
If you hate Bauer so bad, 1) seek therapy – 2) join a support group – 3) seek more therapy.
Seriously not healthy.
Guilty by the court of public opinion. All because he wouldn’t let some chick blackmail him and Manfred has a personal vendetta against him.
What blows my mind is the same idiots that refuse to give Bauer a chance are the same morons on their soap box about how Pete Rose deserves to be in the hall… in my opinion pedophilia is worse than rough consensual sex.
Not that any fans base has a clean history but Cubs?
Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman months after being suspended for domestic violence.
Just one example.
True.my ? Is why is ohanti playing baseball remember they suspended Trevorand said he was guilty before even a trial
Gambling is a misdemeanor. He isn’t accused of really anything yet but definitely not betting on baseball. Rose was never suspended to the best of my knowledge prior to end of the investigation.
Also, i don’t know the ins and outs of the cba but I do know the clause is specific to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Happily bringing back Addison Russell.
Yeah because who needs female fans. Except for Dominatrix’s that is. Isn’t there some kind of registry where you could just look them all up? They should just have a camp like they do for the old Geezers fantasy camp. Invite them all. Make a trade for Wander Franco to play 3B. Pete Rose was a scumbag but Ty Cobb is also supposedly a murderer. And before you say I can’t prove he was, You can’t prove he wasn’t either. I really don’t care who baseball wants to put in the HOF anymore anyway because there are a lot of guys who don’t belong there already, It’s just a writers popularity contest..
Female fans will stop watching because of Trevor Bauer? As if Addison, Aroldis, Osuna, Ozuna, Brett Myers never existed? Furthermore, what Bauer did was done with consent. The other players mentioned here were not asked to take a swing at a woman and yet they were allowed to play in MLB.
Your arguments are still weak. And, Bauer is a top draw and would bring bigger ratings if he were welcomed back. Many to watch him pitch and many to watch him fail.
You know what the difference is between Cobb and Rose is? Cobb was supposedly a murder, Rose admitted to betting on baseball AND being in a relationship with an underage girl.
Nice try with the female fans. If sports have proven anything it is that morals do not exist. Just like politics, the hypocrisy is thick.
Lastly, out of one side of your mouth you talk about a proof, the other you condemn Bauer… let that sink in.
The Cubs don’t want to add any more to their payroll. And the organization has deliberately shied away from anyone with bad PR since new ownership took over.
Cade Horton, come on up.
The central race is going to be a fun one. Between some holes, youth and injuries it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite. If Steele misses a month or so I’d prob put early money on the reds. Though they have had injuries, they had some depth in those spots.
I’ll go…
Reds
Cubs
Brewers
Cards
Pitates
With no conviction about any of the order. If it was reversed I wouldn’t even be surprised at all. If it goes this way I expect the brewers and cards to be heavy sellers at the deadline.
Typical Cub fan, delusional as always. Benedict Counsell will be leading the charge to the bottom at almost $50k per loss. The umps even gave them a free run to take the lead last night only to watch CC’s managerial awesomeness cough up the lead and eventually the game. Buckle up Cub fans and enjoy the high priced mismanagement.
verdad—I know it probably came out the same in the wash, but was very curious as to why not walk Seager in the bottom of the tenth to set up a couple of double play chances. In any scenario Smyly was going lefty-righty and the next two hitters.
Seager is probably the most likely guy in that lineup to hurt you and putting him on first meant absolutely nothing.
I’m out of town so I haven’t seen any post game stuff so not sure if that was even brought up. Just about anything other than a strikeout or pop up from Seager was a bad scenario waiting to happen.
But, kudos to Counsell for not starting Morel in the field. I’m still sure (and nervous) that he will get ample time somewhere in the field but was relieved when I saw the lineup posted. (Note: Cubs still need a REAL third baseman and hoping that Shaw turns into that guy rather quickly).
“Seager is probably the most likely guy in that lineup to hurt you and putting him on first meant absolutely nothing.”
Seager hit a slow roller to Madrigal. If anything, he didn’t hit it hard enough.
The bigger issue was Cooper didn’t do his job in the top of the 10th.
Mike- Sorry to break it to you but Morel is going to play a lot of 3B this year. It was actually a pretty good idea by Counsell not to throw him out there on Opening Day to put even more pressure on him. Unfortunately for all of us I don’t exactly know what’s going to happen when Wisdom comes back other than most Chicago fans aren’t going to like it. The manager can only play who the FO gives them and like it or not Hoyer loves Wisdom and Madrigal. By the way wasn’t it Madrigal who couldn’t field the hot grounder that lead to a run? I guess everybody makes errors huh? At least ole Nicky didn’t pull a hamstring, That’s something anyway.
If Madrigal and Morel are in the lineup at the same time, the is NEVER a reason to have Morel in the field (if they are 3b/DH)..
I do agree that Morel will get some time there and believe me, we will all be sorry.
This is the major leagues….you cannot play a guy with a sub .900 fielding pct anywhere.
“Unfortunately for all of us I don’t exactly know what’s going to happen…”
Huh…?
Last year, Madrigal had 4 errors in 172 chances. In spring training, Morel had 5 actual errors I’m 40 chances and a number of mental errors, like not covering the bag on a steal attempt.
Morel makes Wisdom look like a gold glove.
“Didn’t want to put more pressure on him” because it’s Opening Day. So when we get to August and there are two games separating 1st and 2nd place, or god forbid games in October are we going to worry about more pressure then?
This is the major leagues and as I have said before there are now six plus years of data that Morel is not as good a fielder as players around him, hence no reason to play him there.
I get that he will (have to) play there at times….but how many 3-2, 5-3 games are there going to be, winning or losing, that he is the starting third baseman and either you have to leave him out there in key situations above a clearly better defensive player OR you have to make a defensive swap and take his bat out of the lineup??
Uncle, I agree with you on Wisdom about 97% but 100% with Spot that Morel is not a better defensive option in key moments through the year if they are serious division contenders.
“Morel is not a better defensive option in key moments through the year…”
Morel is never a better defensive option. Just because Morel doesn’t look like Dan Vogelbach, doesn’t mean he’s not a DH.
Mike- Well at the end of the season hopefully he will have played a bunch of games there and be better at it. All he needs is reps there. There is no need to make it more imposing at the start when he knows what everybody is saying about him. Like you said maybe Shaw steps up. maybe they decide they need somebody at the deadline. Maybe my farts will smell like Lemon Pledge by then. Maybe lets just see what happens.
Uncle, I love your sense of hope (and outright blindness) but the major league season is not a place to get “reps”.
You seem to be very knowledgeable, if not a little skewed, but what on earth makes you believe that now in year seven of minor league ball, major league ball, spring training, winter ball that Morel has not had tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of “reps”. His numbers and the eye test state extremely loudly that he has not, can not, and will not ever be a viable defensive third baseman at the major league level.
This is the aching, most glaring Cubs weakness (3b) that was not addressed in the off-season so I’m betting there are a lot of tickets on Matt Shaw in the front office that they are hoping to cash sooner than later.
That is unfortunate for him. Hope he can get back out there quickly
They need to do something about all these injuries. Not like the hamstring is related, but I don’t think the pitch clock helps pitchers’ arms in any way
Pirates may surprise! Pitching will win this division!
I’m guessing they put Smyly in the rotation for the time being and call up Palencia for the pen. Not good. I doubt Hoyer signs anybody or any of the pitching prospects come up so soon. If it’s a month or two ya maybe a clevinger signing makes sense
I think it will be Brown depending on if Steele goes to the IL and for how long.
I personally think it was a mistake to put Wesneski in the minors. He isn’t going to stick as a starter but is pretty dominate in long relief.
I don’t think Spring Training is taken seriously enough, nor is it long enough. I think because pitchers might see 15 innings in ST if they are lucky, they aren’t ready for meaningful games in April. I’d start ST on Feb 1st and opening day April 15th. I would push back the end of season 2 weeks and just tell players they gonna have to play in November in the playoffs…The players with solid roster spots don’t do anything during Spring Training outside of maybe a couple innings pitched and a handful of at-bats. That has to change too, like more split roster games have to be played so talent is evaluated and veterans are actually getting ready to play.
Trevor Bauer.
Been saying this for 3 months
Time to sign
Trevor Bauer!
Ya imagine how motivated Bauer would be. He said he’d sign for league minimum. I say sign him up!
I’m going to trust the Cubs in their decision regarding Bauer but man it’s hard not to see the fit, Hawkins knows him, Gomes caught him, several Cleveland pitchers credited Bauer for helping them develop.
Give Trevor Bauer a shot he was innocent MLB said he was guilty before even a trial and he was guilty because he won’t let someone blackmail him otani needs the same treatment
MLB can take that runner on 2nd rule and shove it. That has to be the most asinine rule ever.
Oh…I have an idea. Just call a tied game after nine innings…that will cut the clock way back. Or how about changing counts…change at bats to a two strike maximum….including two fouls and yer out. Or penalize players who celebrate…time consuming…or kick players out for arguing with the umpires…these are all time killers… I know…these are stupid ideas .. BWAHAAAHAA
Isn’t spring training supposed to be wear guys get their body warmed up so they can actually play baseball. The guy made one play in the field and pulled his hammy? We already took pitchers off the bases and took the bat out of their hands. Do we need to take the glove out of the hands as well? Not getting more pitching has already bite the Cubs in the ass. Unbelievable…
The Counsell Curse effecting the cubs already.
Only 161 to go until “wait until next year”.