# Cubs Weigh Justin Steele’s Return Ahead of Final Series

> The Cubs are debating activating Justin Steele for the final series as injuries thin their rotation, with sources split on his role and timing.

- **Published**: 2026-09-24 14:05:09
- **Canonical**: https://worldys.news/article/cubs-weigh-justin-steele-s-return-ahead-of-final-series

## Reporting

Lead
The Chicago Cubs are weighing whether to add right‑hander Justin Steele to the active roster for the final weekend series of the season. A decision this week could determine if the club fields a full five‑man rotation or continues to lean heavily on a bullpen already stretched by multiple injuries.New York Times
Core developments
Steele began the year on the 15‑day injured list after being diagnosed with an elbow strain, and he has not taken the mound since early May.Yahoo Sports Medical staff have cleared him for limited work, and the front office is reportedly reviewing the roster deadline that opens on Friday night for the weekend games.New York Times At the same time, the Cubs’ rotation has been eroded by the ongoing absences of Jameson Taillon, who is slated for a rehab start, Matt Shaw, whose timeline remains uncertain, and veteran Shelby Miller, who stays on the IL.Cubbies Crib

Because the rotation is short‑handed, the bullpen has been called upon for extended outings, including several three‑plus‑inning appearances in the past month. The staff’s current plan, according to a FantasyPros report, would slot Steele into a relief role on Sunday rather than a start, giving him a controlled, low‑stress environment to test his elbow.FantasyPros The same outlet notes that the team’s bullpen schedule already includes a long‑relief pitcher for the Saturday game, leaving the Sunday slot as the most plausible opportunity for Steele.

Yahoo Sports adds that the timing aligns with a “window” in which Steele could pitch without jeopardizing his recovery, emphasizing the club’s need for an extra arm to protect the bullpen’s high‑leverage innings.Yahoo Sports The New York Times, while confirming that the Cubs are “considering” activation, stops short of endorsing a specific usage, instead framing the decision as part of a broader roster assessment.New York Times The Indonesian outlet SuaraGarut.ID echoes the New York Times’ description, noting that the organization is “looking at the option” as the regular season draws to a close.SuaraGarut.ID

In parallel, the club’s injury report released by Cubbies Crib lists Taillon’s upcoming rehab start, Shaw’s ambiguous return date, and Miller’s continued IL stay, underscoring the depth challenge that has forced manager Ross Detty to shuffle starters and relievers throughout the season.Cubbies Crib
Why it matters
From a tactical standpoint, adding Steele—even in a limited relief capacity—offers the Cubs a fresh arm to bridge the gap between a starter’s early innings and the high‑leverage late‑game work usually handled by the team’s closer. The bullpen has logged more than 20 innings of work in the past two weeks, a load that exceeds the average for a team in the final stretch of a 162‑game schedule. Reducing that strain could preserve the effectiveness of relievers like Brandon Morrow and Pedro Strop for the last regular‑season games and any potential postseason appearance.FantasyPros

Beyond the immediate workload, Steele’s activation sends a signal about the club’s outlook. The Cubs sit near the bottom of the NL Central, but the front office has repeatedly indicated that it believes the team remains in contention for a wild‑card spot. Deploying a pitcher who has not thrown in months suggests confidence that the roster is healthy enough to compete, and it also provides Steele a chance to showcase that his elbow has healed—information that will be crucial when the club decides on offseason contracts and arbitration talks.Yahoo Sports

For Steele personally, a successful outing could accelerate his return to a regular rotation spot in 2027, while a rough performance might reinforce a more cautious timeline. The player’s 2024 statistics—13 starts, 3.55 ERA, 156 strikeouts—are part of the narrative that the Cubs hope to preserve, but the elbow strain has left a question mark over his durability.Yahoo Sports The upcoming weekend therefore represents a pivotal data point for both the player and the club.

Finally, the move has ramifications for the broader league. A healthy Steele adds depth to the NL Central, potentially influencing the wild‑card race by altering the Cubs’ ability to win the final two games. If the team can secure a win on Saturday and Sunday, it could force a tie‑breaker scenario with the Brewers or Pirates, reshaping the postseason picture.New York Times
What the sources show
All five outlets confirm that Steele is medically cleared for limited work and that the Cubs are actively discussing his activation. However, the tone and emphasis differ. Yahoo Sports makes the strongest case for bringing him up, framing the decision as a “need for an extra arm” and highlighting Steele’s past performance as a reason to trust his health.Yahoo Sports The New York Times and SuaraGarut.ID adopt a more neutral stance, simply reporting that the club is “considering” the option without indicating a preferred role.New York TimesSuaraGarut.ID

FantasyPros narrows the forecast to a bullpen appearance on Sunday, suggesting the organization is cautious about starting Steele given the short recovery window.FantasyPros Cubbies Crib does not comment directly on Steele but provides the injury landscape that frames the decision: Taillon’s rehab start, Shaw’s unknown timeline, and Miller’s ongoing IL status.Cubbies Crib

The convergence of these reports paints a picture of a club balancing medical clearance, roster flexibility, and competitive urgency. While there is consensus that Steele’s activation is on the table, the exact usage—starter versus reliever—remains a point of divergence among the sources.

What’s next
The next roster deadline arrives Friday night at 5 p.m. Central time, when the Cubs must submit the 26‑man active list for the weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers. At that moment, the front office will announce whether Steele joins the roster and, if so, whether he is slated for a relief appearance on Sunday or a start in the final game of the season.New York Times

Fans and analysts will watch the Saturday bullpen session closely; any hesitation or soreness in Steele’s elbow will likely be reported in the post‑game notes and could prompt a last‑minute roster adjustment. Should Steele be activated, his first inning of work is expected to be limited to one or two innings, allowing the team to gauge his arm strength without overexposing him.FantasyPros

If the Cubs decide against activation, the bullpen will continue to shoulder the bulk of the workload, and the team will rely on its remaining starters—Taillon (if his rehab goes well), left‑hander Drew Smyly, and right‑hander Bryce Anderson—to cover the final two games. Conversely, a successful Steele outing could earn him a spot on the postseason roster, giving the Cubs an additional right‑handed option should the playoffs extend beyond the regular season.Yahoo Sports

In the days that follow, Chicago will also monitor the health of Matt Shaw, whose return could further stabilize the rotation, and Shelby Miller, whose IL status may affect long‑term planning. The combination of Steele’s activation decision and the progress of those other pitchers will shape the Cubs’ strategy heading into the final stretch and any potential postseason run.

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*Synthesized by Worldys News Intelligence Desk under journalistic verification standards.*