“Getting another opinion”: Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell reacts on Justin Steele’s elbow injury

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 12, 2025, 10:20 IST

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The Chicago Cubs face uncertainty as Justin Steele lands on the 15-day injured list due to recurring elbow tendinitis. Manager Craig Counsell is seeking multiple medical opinions to determine the best course of action. Potential replacements are being considered, with Zack Littell and Cal Quantrill emerging as possible short-term options to bolster the pitching rotation.

“Getting another opinion”: Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell reacts on Justin Steele’s elbow injury

Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell reacts on Justin Steele’s elbow injury (image Source: Getty)

The Chicago Cubs are left in a tough spot after Justin Steele was sent to the 15-day injury list. The Cubs’ manager, Craig Counsell, said the team is getting a second medical opinion to make a decision later.

Craig Counsell reacts after Justin Steele’s injury update

In a tough spot currently, the Chicago Cubs are yet to figure out how to deal with the sudden issue of Justin Steele’s injuries. While the pitcher is a key player in the team, his elbow injuries have been bothering him since last year.

Justin Steele has been managing elbow tendinitis since last year, and that could become a new issue for the Chicago Cubs. On Friday, Chicago Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell didn’t delve into details about Steele’s recent MRI. He only said it showed the same injury as before. Now, with the current update, both Steele and the Cubs are verifying all kinds of medical advice before they decide on the next few steps.

Reacting to the situation, the Cubs’ manager said:
“We’re going to get some more opinions on it, We’re kind of dealing with the same thing we dealt with last year and, for that reason, I think Justin wants to make sure, and we want to make sure, that we get the right information moving forward. So, he’s going to get another opinion and then we’ll go from there.”
As per Counsell, Steele will have to undergo follow-up testing as well.
So far, there is no confirmation as to who will begin the rotation now, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Chicago Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell said:
“We’re going to keep as many pitchers as we can available.”
Ever since Justin Steele was placed on a 15-day injured list on Wednesday, the team has been deciding on who could make it to the roster.

Who could replace Justin Steele?

Currently, in the middle of a heated season, it could be difficult for the Chicago Cubs to trade. Most teams that do not perform well, are aware of making this decision when they are closer to the trade deadline, citing better offers.
If at all a situation like this arises, ChiCity Sports suggest that the Cubs could likely be looking for a cheaper, temporary pitcher to help in the short term.
There are two possible names, the first one being Zack Littell, reim Tampa Bay Rays, who is a veteran pitcher and hasn’t been doing well this season. The second one being Cal Quantrill, from Miami Marlins), a 30-year-old pitcher who signed for $3.5 million this season.
Also Read: Chicago Cubs Acquire Tom Cosgrove From San Diego Padres For Cash

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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