Injured Star: Cubs’ Justin Steele on the Sidelines

In a stunning turn of events, the Chicago Cubs have placed star pitcher Justin Steele on the 15-day injured list due to tendinitis in his left elbow. This news broke early this morning and has sent waves of concern through the Cubs' fanbase.

The Discomfort That Couldn’t Be Ignored

Steele, 29, disclosed in an interview with ESPN that he first felt discomfort during his latest outing against the Rangers. Despite battling through a couple of innings, the nagging pain remained, leading him to predict a minimum stint on the injured list.

A Surprising Turn of Events

This injury comes as a major surprise, especially considering Steele's impressive performance just two days ago, where he delivered seven shutout innings with three hits and eight strikeouts. However, his fastball averaged a career-low of 90.2 mph during that game, raising red flags about his arm health.

While the cold temperatures at Wrigley Field could have played a role, it now appears that elbow issues are definitely a factor.

Who’s Next? Cubs Prepare for the Unexpected

With Steele's absence, the Cubs will be without him at least until late April. He joins fellow starter Javier Assad on the injured list. The team still has a robust rotation featuring Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Ben Brown, but they'll need to fill Steele's shoes.

Veteran Colin Rea is likely to step in as the fifth starter, with promising lefty Jordan Wicks available at Triple-A. However, the Cubs have to shuffle quickly due to a grueling schedule ahead.

Navigating a Tight Schedule

The Cubs have a crucial stretch coming up, with six consecutive games from April 11-16. They can manage with four starters temporarily, leveraging Rea or Wicks as a starter in what looks to be a bullpen game. This will test their depth and resilience at a pivotal point in the season.

Fresh Arms: Ethan Roberts Takes the Stage

To fill the void, the Cubs have recalled righty Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa. Roberts, 27, seeks to prove himself and provide a fresh arm in the bullpen. With an impressive record of four strikeouts in just 4 1/3 scoreless innings this season, all eyes will be on him as he steps up in this crucial moment.