Cubs get bad news amid Justin Steele update for 2026 season

Cubs get bad news amid Justin Steele update for 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Chicago Cubs are one of the more obvious teams in need of starting pitching help this season, with the trade deadline their best option to improve their rotation.

With the Cubs a likely postseason contender, they really can’t afford to add to this rotation with Cade Horton out for the season and the struggles from Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and Edward Cabrera.

But what about Justin Steele? Well, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Jed Hoyer revealed an update on the left-hander that doesn’t help the Cubs’ starting pitching need at all this season, despite Steele having the chance to return this season.

Cubs get bad news amid Justin Steele update

“Cubs boss Jed Hoyer told @mullyhaugh that he does not expect Justin Steele to be starting games this season,” Levine shared. “Hoyer pointed toward a healthy 2027 for Steele. He did not rule out Steele helping in the pen at some late summer point.”

This update from Hoyer on Steele is not what the Cubs fan base will want to hear. After a setback that has kept him on the injured list this season, this update is a brutal one for the left-hander.

Steele now won’t be returning to the starting rotation this season, which is exactly where the Cubs could use him this season.

Sure, getting him back in any capacity, even as a reliever, would help. But, considering the massive starting pitching need, the plan to not bring Steele back as a starter for the 2026 roster makes the need in the rotation all the more dire.

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The 40-37 Cubs are a postseason-caliber team, but they desperately need help in the rotation, especially now that Steele is no longer a factor in the rotation.

Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano of the Los Angeles Angels, Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants, Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins, and maybe even Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers are a few options the Cubs could consider this summer.

Regardless of who the Cubs decide to add, this team badly needs a new starter in the mix. Their current options, with multiple options injured and others struggling, are not good enough for a postseason run.

This Steele update is a brutal one for the Cubs, as even if the lefty returns from the injured list this season, he will likely only be used in a limited bullpen role.

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