Tommy John Surgery Ends Steele’s Season, But Doesn’t Put Out the Fire
In a season where the Chicago Cubs were showing signs of a resurgence, the biggest shock came not from outside competition, but from within the team itself: Justin Steele — who was expected to be the team’s leading pitcher — was sidelined with a serious injury.
On April 13, 2025, during what seemed like a normal game, Steele clutched his elbow after a pitch and had to leave the field in the middle of an inning. Silence fell over Wrigley Field as fans feared the worst — and it did. A few days later, the medical team confirmed it: a torn elbow ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery, meaning his 2025 season was over.
Steele was more than just a good pitcher. He is the epitome of the Cubs’ competitive spirit, a player who fights to the last inning. His 2024 season marked him with a 2.94 ERA and 168 strikeouts, leaving fans with full faith in a stronger Cubs than ever this year. But now, the team will have to fight without one of its most important pieces.
Even though he can’t play, Steele still acts as a mentor to the young pitchers, regularly giving feedback and encouragement to the team via video and text messages.
“I still watch every game, analyze every pitch, every move,” Steele shared. “Just because I’m not on the field, doesn’t mean I’m not a part of the team.”
Tommy John surgery is notorious for its lengthy recovery time, which can be up to 12–16 months. For Steele, that means he won’t be back until midway through the 2026 season, and could even miss the entire following season if his recovery doesn’t go well.
However, the Cubs’ coaching staff has been optimistic about his recovery, citing the sheer will and discipline Steele has shown throughout his career.
Manager Craig Counsell said:
“Steele is a warrior. We’ll miss him, no doubt about it. But he’s still here, still contributing to the win — just not on the mound.”
Steele is a constant presence in the locker room — partly because he still comes to the plate when he can, and partly because his competitive spirit is ingrained in the DNA of this team.
There won’t be a strikeout from Steele for the rest of the season. But he’s still the Cubs’ hero — not just for what he did, but for how he kept fighting, from the sidelines.