"That procedure, which Steele underwent in mid-April of last year, came with an initial recovery timeline of roughly one year. There's been minimal updates on Steele's status since then, but the left-hander (as noted by MLB.com) took a big step forward in his rehab last week when he threw off a mound for the first time since going under the knife."
"In an interview with Elise Menaker of Marquee Sports Network, Steele noted that while he doesn't have a specific timeline for his return to the majors, he expects to face hitters at some point during Spring Training and added that he's not only suffered no setbacks but is 'ahead of schedule, if anything.' That's certainly a positive sign for Cubs fans who are hoping to see Steele back on the mound early in the 2026 campaign."
"With Cabrera, Horton, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and all set to be on the big league roster to start the year (to say nothing of depth options like Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, and behind that group), the team's crowded rotation mix could lead the Cubs to be a bit more careful with Steele's rehab than they otherwise might be."
Justin Steele underwent UCL revision surgery in mid‑April 2025 with an initial recovery timeline of roughly one year. He recently threw off a mound for the first time since the procedure and expects to face hitters during Spring Training, reporting no setbacks and saying he is ahead of schedule. The Chicago Cubs added right‑hander Edward Cabrera and will benefit from a full season from Cade Horton while returning a deep rotation including Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon. The club's roster depth could allow a cautious approach to Steele's rehab and return timeline.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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