Overview
- Steele threw on Monday in a controlled mound session, his first throwing work since a flexor strain interrupted a month‑long ramp‑up toward a comeback.
- The club and executives described the update as encouraging but cautious, saying Steele still must clear progressive long‑toss, face hitters and complete a mound‑to‑start progression before returning to games.
- Steele has not pitched in a major‑league game in more than 14 months after reconstructive elbow surgeries in 2017 and 2025, a history that has limited him to 91 starts between those procedures.
- His return would matter because Steele was an impact starter when healthy—an All‑Star in 2023 and the 2024 Opening Day starter—and could provide an internal option for a Cubs rotation dealing with multiple injuries.
- If Steele continues to progress without setbacks, the Cubs could alter their roster and trade approach ahead of the deadline, but team leaders stress there are several medical and performance steps still to clear.