Cubs Place Starter on IL; Boasted a 1.49 ERA in His Last 10 Starts

The Chicago Cubs are losing their best starting pitcher, again.

The Cubs have placed starter Justin Steele on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to September 02, with a lower back strain. 

#Cubs roster moves:
-Placed LHP Justin Steele on the 15-day IL with a low back strain (retroactive to 9/2)
-Selected RHP Hayden Wesneski from @IowaCubs
-Designated RHP Kervin Castro for assignment pic.twitter.com/D47Pb15KH2

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 6, 2022

Steele was scheduled to start on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds, but has been put back on the injured list due to the lingering back issue. It has not yet been determined how long he'll be sidelined for, but because it's an issue that's flared up a couple times now, the Cubs will likely play it safe and give him some extra time to rest and recover. 

Steele has posted a strong 3.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 126 strikeouts over 119 innings this season. 

Photo Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The twenty-seven-year-old has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since June 29th. In 54 innings (10 starts) since June 29th, Steele has posted a phenomenal 1.49 ERA and 65 strikeouts. 

Hopefully, he can get healthy and make at least one more appearance before the end of the regular season. 

Photo Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports