The Chicago Cubs got the update they were desperately hoping for this weekend, as ace left-hander Justin Steele delivered encouraging news on his elbow rehabilitation during Saturday’s spring training matchup against the Texas Rangers, giving fans renewed optimism about his return timetable.

Steele, whose 2025 season ended abruptly following a significant elbow injury requiring surgery, has been on a long and carefully monitored recovery path, with the organization already ruling him out for Opening Day but remaining hopeful for a midseason comeback.

Speaking on the Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network broadcast, Steele expressed genuine confidence about his progress, noting that his bullpen sessions have been trending upward and that each step of his rehab has unfolded exactly as planned in recent weeks.

“I’m feeling really good. Bullpens have been progressing really well lately,” Steele said, offering a calm but enthusiastic assessment that immediately caught the attention of Chicago’s fanbase and coaching staff alike.

The 30-year-old southpaw has long been viewed as the backbone of the Cubs’ rotation, and his health remains a critical variable in Chicago’s push to contend after returning to the postseason in 2025 despite his absence for nearly the entire year.

Although Steele will not be available when the season begins, both he and the organization expect him to return at some point during the first half, provided there are no setbacks and his throwing program continues to progress smoothly.

Steele’s importance to the Cubs cannot be overstated, especially considering the impact he made before last season’s injury; in 2023, he delivered a 16–5 record with a 3.06 ERA, earned All-Star honors, and finished fifth in the National League Cy Young race.

Even in 2024, when he made only twenty-four starts compared to thirty the year prior, Steele still posted a 3.07 ERA and remained one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball, demonstrating that his breakout season was no fluke and that he had grown into a true front-line starter.

His 2025 campaign lasted only four starts before the elbow issue forced him off the mound, but despite losing their ace, the Cubs still managed to secure a playoff berth—an accomplishment that showcased the roster’s overall improvement and depth.

However, the postseason run was short-lived, as Chicago fell to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, leaving many wondering whether Steele’s presence could have been the difference in a tight, pitching-intensive series.

Knowing Steele would be unavailable for the start of 2026, the Cubs aggressively addressed their rotation this offseason, most notably by acquiring hard-throwing right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, adding a dynamic arm with strikeout upside and long-term control.

Cabrera joins a group that already includes Rookie of the Year runner-up Cade Horton, Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga, veteran Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd, forming a blend of youth, experience, and potential that gives Chicago one of the deeper rotations in the National League.

Horton’s rise has been particularly important, as his poise and mound presence have quickly made him a foundational piece, easing some of the burden that fell on Steele’s shoulders in prior seasons when the rotation lacked high-end depth.

With Cabrera’s arrival and Horton’s emergence, the Cubs have bought themselves time to ensure Steele returns only when fully ready, minimizing risk and maximizing long-term health for a pitcher expected to anchor the staff for years to come.

Steele’s return—even if delayed until May or June—could transform the Cubs’ season, especially given the team’s aggressive pursuit of contention following the acquisition of Cabrera and the high-profile signing of superstar infielder Alex Bregman.

Chicago’s front office has made it clear that missing the window of opportunity is not an option, and pairing a healthy Steele with Cabrera, Horton, Imanaga, and a deep bullpen gives the Cubs legitimate World Series aspirations.

Steele’s pre-injury profile—elite command, ground-ball generation, and the ability to attack hitters inside with a heavy fastball-slider mix—made him one of the most frustrating matchups in the league for opposing lineups.

If he returns with anything close to his prior form, Chicago gains not just a top-level pitcher, but a tone-setting leader who elevates the performance and confidence of the entire pitching staff.

That leadership and presence also mattered significantly in 2025, even as he rehabbed; Steele remained consistently involved, working with younger pitchers and staying engaged with the club, signaling how deeply rooted he is within Chicago’s clubhouse culture.

Headed into 2026, the Cubs believe their rotation depth will allow them to be patient, but they also understand the ceiling of the team changes dramatically when Steele is healthy enough to take the ball every fifth day.

Fans who watched him dominate in 2023 and 2024 know well the difference he can make, and his encouraging spring updates reinforce the growing belief that Chicago may soon have its ace back at full strength.

While nothing is guaranteed in the long recovery from elbow surgery, Steele’s tone, confidence, and progress all point toward a meaningful midseason return—one that could swing division races, playoff seeding, and ultimately, the Cubs’ championship push.

For now, the organization will continue to monitor his workload, progress his bullpen sessions, and move him toward live batting practice and simulated games, each step bringing him one stride closer to reclaiming his role atop the rotation.

And if his rehab continues trending the way it has, Chicago Cubs fans have every reason to believe that Justin Steele will once again be the dominant lefty capable of shaping games, series, and postseason destinies.