Justin Steele makes a comeback from hamstring injury as Cubs face off against Padres | Lifestyle

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs welcomed back left-hander Justin Steele to their rotation on Monday night, and he did not disappoint in his return from injury. Steele, who had been sidelined since opening day with a strained left hamstring, pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings against the San Diego Padres, allowing just three hits while striking out two and walking one.

Steele, 28, was a breakout performer for the Cubs last season, posting a 16-5 record with a 3.06 ERA in 30 starts. He earned his first All-Star selection and finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. His return to the rotation adds another strong arm to an already impressive group of starters for Chicago.

The Cubs have been holding their own in Steele’s absence, boasting a 21-14 record heading into the series against the Padres. The rotation has been a key factor in the team’s success, with pitchers like Shota Imanaga (5-0, 0.78 ERA), Jameson Taillon (3-0, 1.13 ERA), and Javier Assad (3-0, 1.66 ERA) stepping up in Steele’s absence.

Manager Craig Counsell praised the performance of the starting pitchers, noting that they have been excellent throughout the season. The Cubs’ starting staff had a 2.61 ERA over their past 21 games, the second-best mark in the NL during that stretch.

President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer also commended the rotation for stepping up in the face of injuries, highlighting the contributions of young pitchers Hayden Wesneski and Ben Brown.

Steele’s return to the rotation comes at a crucial time for the Cubs as they look to maintain their strong start to the season. With a healthy and effective rotation, Chicago will be well-positioned to compete in a competitive NL Central division.

In a corresponding move, the Cubs optioned Keegan Thompson to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Steele on the roster. Thompson had been solid in relief for Chicago this season, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA in seven appearances.

Overall, the Cubs are optimistic about their pitching staff’s performance moving forward, with Steele’s return adding another weapon to an already formidable rotation. As they continue to navigate the ups and downs of a long baseball season, Chicago will rely on their pitching depth to carry them through to success.

The Cubs will look to build on their strong start to the season as they face off against the Padres in a three-game series, with Steele’s return providing a boost to an already impressive rotation.