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Cubs’ latest Justin Steele and Ben Brown updates provide optimism for dream scenario
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As the Chicago Cubs have learned this year, one can truly never have enough pitchers. After watching countless arms go down throughout the course of the year, they re-build their pitching staff at the trade deadline by adding Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Braxton Garrett, snf Ryan Zeferjahn.
Now, with a little over a month remaining, the situation has changed dramatically. Daniel Palencia has returned to the bullpen after being activated from a lengthy IL stint, Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A despite pitching well, and Shelby Miller’s injury rehab assignment is progressing well.
All of that is enough to suggest the script has flipped from the beginning of the year, but the news continues to improve. Recently, it was announced that Ben Brown, who is recovering from stress fractures in his neck, and Justin Steele, who underwent elbow surgery last year before suffering a setback earlier this season, both threw live batting practice sessions in Arizona.
The plan is for both pitchers to participate in live BP sessions or bridge games next week, with Brown potentially moving on to an injury rehab assignment shortly after. Steele’s timeline is likely to be much longer, but Chicago has already made it clear that, if he returns this season, he’ll do so as a reliever rather than a starter. That significantly shortens the buildup he’ll need before potentially contributing.
Chicago Cubs’ latest updates on Justin Steele and Ben Brown provide optimism for a dream post season scenario
By all accounts, the Cubs are in an excellent position to reach the postseason this year. They currently hold a four-game advantage in the Wild Card race and trail the Milwaukee Brewers by seven games in the NL Central. However, with seven games still remaining against their division rival, Chicago has plenty of opportunities to make up ground quickly.
Regardless of where they finish, pitching depth can often be the difference in determining how a playoff series unfolds. While fewer arms are typically needed during a three-game Wild Card series, having as much depth as possible becomes increasingly important in best-of-five and best-of-seven series. With Brown and Steele both trending in the right direction, the possibility of adding either pitcher to the staff in some capacity should have Cubs fans excited.
It’s also important to remember, particularly in Steele’s case, that a return before the end of the regular season may not necessarily be the goal. If he isn’t ready until a few weeks into October, the Cubs could still activate him between playoff rounds, as postseason rosters must be set for each series. Ideally, Chicago would love to have both Steele and Brown available when the games matter most.
The post Cubs’ latest Justin Steele and Ben Brown updates provide optimism for dream scenario appeared first on ChiCitySports.
