Justin Steele’s Return: From Live Hitters to Triple-A Baseball; Cubs Trading for Balance in the Roster

The Cubs have a plan in place for pitcher Justin Steele’s return, with the next step being moving to the Triple-A level next week. After facing live hitters for three innings at the team’s complex in Arizona on Friday, Steele will likely continue his rehab in Iowa on Wednesday. The team is working to build Steele back up to rejoin the big-league rotation, but has not yet announced if he will make one or multiple rehab outings with a minor league affiliate.

Meanwhile, the Cubs traded veteran Garrett Cooper to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. The decision to trade Cooper was made after the Cubs added Matt Mervis to the big-league roster and felt they had enough right-handed hitters with Patrick Wisdom back from injury. They were in search of a left-handed bat to balance out the roster, which they found in Mervis.

Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy has outlined a schedule for Steele’s return, with the next step mapped out for Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, Steele could be back on a five-day rotation and ready to throw on Monday, May 6. This aligns with the Cubs’ schedule, as their minor league affiliates are off that day but the Chicago Cubs are playing the Padres at Wrigley Field. If another rehab outing is needed, Steele could potentially return to the Chicago rotation on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12.