Justin Steele Seeking Second Opinion for Elbow Injury

Justin Steele went on the IL earlier this week due to what was being called elbow tendinitis. That’s the same injury he dealt with near the end of the 2024 season, and Steele’s initial comments were that this might only require a minimum stay on the shelf just like the last one. The fact that he pitched through discomfort for multiple innings on Tuesday night during his best start of the season was cause for encouragement, but also concern.

A pitcher throwing through elbow discomfort is never a good thing, and the fears ignited by his IL stint were fanned Friday when Craig Counsell said his lefty would seek “more opinions” on his tendinitis. Getting a second opinion rarely signals good things to come. The team hasn’t clarified what imaging showed and what that first opinion was, but thoughts immediately turn to a recommendation of Tommy John surgery. Steele has already undergone elbow reconstruction once before, back in 2017 as a prospect in his fourth season with the organization.

If Steele is only out for a month or two, it’s not the end of the world. The Cubs have depth for this reason, even if it’s not ideal. Going under the knife would end his season and deal a massive blow to the rotation, prompting valid conversation about trading for a top-tier starting pitcher. Someone like Sandy Alcántara of the Marlins would make sense, although the Cubs would have to give up a large haul. That would have been the case even under more ideal circumstances, but they would be dealing from a position of extreme weakness if Steele is down indefinitely.

Cross your fingers and toes that this ends up better than most of us are fearing at this point.