MESA, Ariz. — After having to skip his previous Cactus League start because of illness, Cubs left-hander Justin Steele cleared the last hurdle he needed to Tuesday before boarding the plane to Tokyo.

‘‘Felt good, felt normal,’’ Steele said after pitching 3⅔ innings against the Brewers. ‘‘Didn’t really think too much of it as I was preparing today. Didn’t really even notice that I was skipping a start or anything like that. Body felt good. Felt good throughout the outing today. Got the pitch count up, was able to get some up-downs in there. Get that settled before we go to Tokyo and into the regular season.’’

All those checkpoints were far more important than the line score. Steele allowed seven runs — five of which came in the first inning — and 10 hits.

His next start is scheduled for the second game of the Tokyo Series opposite Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki, who will be making his major-league debut.

‘‘It’s going to be electric the entire time,’’ Steele said. ‘‘Just watching videos of how their fans really get into the games and stuff like that, it’s going to be a ton of energy in the building. The players that both teams are bringing, it’s gonna be really exciting. I’m just excited to get there and engulf myself in how everything’s done over there.’’

As the Cubs set their travel roster for the Tokyo Series, the pitching picture was the most interesting aspect. They need only two starters for the regular-season games, but they still have to cover four games’ worth of innings, including two exhibitions.

‘‘You want quality, and you’ve got to think about backup plans,’’ manager Craig Counsell said. ‘‘There’s scenarios that could play out, as unlikely as they are. The fact that you can’t go get a player for the second game is relevant. And that we’re limited on what we’re going to expose pitchers to is relevant.’’

That’s where pitchers such as Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown, who have built up as starters, are especially valuable. Both made the travel roster.

Because of the early start to the season, starters aren’t expected to go deep into games. Left-hander Shota Imanaga, who is set to start the opener, built up to 75 pitches in his last Cactus League start. Steele estimated he threw 60 to 65 pitches Tuesday.

The Cubs are planning on a bullpen game for their first exhibition. That will give their relievers extra rest before Opening Day. Right-hander Jameson Taillon is set to start the second exhibition, Counsell said.

Brewers 9, Cubs 7

To combat the Brewers’ five-run first inning, the Cubs put together a four-run rally in the bottom of the inning. Ian Happ and Kyle Tucker walked to put runners on first and second. Happ scored on a wild pitch, and Tucker advanced to third with Michael Busch up. Busch hit an RBI single before Matt Shaw drove him in with a double off the wall. Pete Crow-Armstrong got in on the fun with an RBI single.

• It was a big day for getting relievers some work. Five of the six relievers the Cubs used are on their travel roster for the Tokyo Series.

• All eight of the Cubs’ hits came from different players.