Cubs ace Justin Steele in line to return Monday from hamstring injury
CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs ace Justin Steele is just about ready to return to Chicago’s rotation after being sidelined since the season opener because of a strained left hamstring.
Steele is on track to start Monday against San Diego, assuming he gets through one more bullpen session with no issues, manager Craig Counsell said Friday. The left-hander was hurt trying to field a bunt at Texas in the first opening day start of his career.
“We’ve missed him for a month and it’ll be good to get him going,” Counsell said.
Steele threw 63 pitches Wednesday for Triple-A Iowa. He allowed three runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings.
“I feel I’m ready to go,” he said.
The Cubs are counting on more big things from Steele coming off his first All-Star season. The left-hander was 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 30 starts and finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting.