Chicago Cubs reveal plans for injured Justin Steele and Matthew Boyd

The Chicago Cubs entered this past offseason generating belief that their starting rotation would be a strength as it pushed towards a deep playoff run.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Pedro Ramirez making a case to stay in the majors—maybe at Matt Shaw’s expense

Although lacking a sure-thing top-of-rotation ace, they had the promise of a solid, sturdy staff at least nine deep in potential starters. In the front-five were Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, and Shota Imanaga. There were backups Colin Rea, Javier Assad, and Ben Brown. Then, waiting in the wings, was the team’s previous ace Justin Steele, who was expected back from last year’s elbow surgery around May or June.

As things stand right now, though, the Cubs are barely holding on to a five-man rotation, with no real backup options available. Horton was lost for the season with an elbow injury after just two starts. Boyd has only managed five starts due to two IL stints. Taillon is currently on the IL. Cabrera spent about three weeks on the IL as well. Steele, meanwhile, suffered a significant setback in his recovery.

The emergence of Brown as a top-flight starter has helped keep things from full-on crisis, as has the recent run of Assad. But the Cubs are going to need to get back a veteran or two if they want to be serious contenders for postseason glory.

There is news on that front.

Boyd testing the waters

More News: Chicago Cubs may have a 19-year-old phenom on their hands

Boyd, who was initially expected back from meniscus surgery last weekend, suffered lingering soreness in his left shoulder after his second rehab outing in Iowa, forcing the Cubs to keep him on the shelf a bit longer.

Per the team, the 35-year-old lefty will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. From there, Chicago will decide what they want to do with him. He could be headed back to Iowa for some more rehab innings or they could decide to rest him entirely.

Boyd has an extensive history of injury and also a high level of importance to this team’s playoff future. So, it’s pretty much a sure thing that the Cubs will err on the side of caution in hopes of a healthy post-All-Star break return.

Steele rejoining the team

Steele’s future is murkier.

The Cubs’ most consistently successful pitcher over the three seasons prior to his injury seemed on the fast track to a full return by mid-June. However, a flexor strain in his throwing arm shut him down again. And now the target date for a return is the much more nebulous ‘sometime before the end of the season.’

On Monday, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that the southpaw will be physically joining the team soon, finishing up some throwing exercises before ramping up his rehab.

“Steele will actually be here,” Counsell told reporters. “He’s flying here right now. He’s going to be with us for the next three-ish weeks.”

“He’s got one more week in the plyo-ball section,” Counsell added. “Then he’ll start throwing next Monday, and then he’s got a couple weeks of throwing program with us before we go to next steps.”

An optimistic assessment would see Steele pitching with the big league Cubs some time in September, but with clearly defined restrictions.

At the very least, getting back at least one of these guys should give a stressed and strained rotation a shot in the arm and a bit of security they absolutely don’t have now.

The post Chicago Cubs reveal plans for injured Justin Steele and Matthew Boyd appeared first on ChiCitySports.