Steele is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 11 games this season.
ST. LOUIS – The Cubs put left-handed reliever Justin Steele on the 10-day injured list before Friday’s game against the Cardinals with right hamstring strain. The team recalled southpaw Brad Wieck from Class AAA Iowa to take his place on the 26-man roster.
The loss of Steele is a blow to the Cubs as the 25-year-old lefty has been a revelation in the team’s revamped bullpen after making his MLB debut last month.
“Justin has a moderate strain,” manager David Ross said. A little more severe than a mild is what the trainer’s are telling me.”
Steele injured the hamstring in Thursday’s win over the Nationals while running the bases in the sixth inning. He was removed from the game after making his warmup pitches in the seventh. He’s 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 11 games this season.
Injuries have been an issue around MLB this season and the Cubs have been no exception with several players going on the IL over the last few weeks.
“I think the injuries, I don’t think anybody has a real pulse on why,” Ross said. “There’s all these theories [with] the pandemic, guys were probably training more at home rather than gyms and you’re away and you’re probably a little less active in the offseasons.
“I think it’s important that they get rest with the trend we’re seeing. Trying to keep that balance, I think it’s a real competitive advantage. We’re talking a lot about competitive advantages. I think one is keeping guys healthy this year and throughout 162 games is going to be a competitive advantage on the back end.”
Willson Contreras becoming teacher for young arms
The Cubs have gotten a lot out of their young arms this season with Steele, Keegan Thompson, Adbert Alzolay and even Tommy Nance starting to make noice at the big league level.
Catcher Willson Contreras used to be the young guy on the Cubs 2016 World Series team. He’s not only a veteran now, but is also playing a big role helping guide the team’s young pitchers as they find their way.
“Whenever there’s a new guy on the mound like Steele or Thompson or a young guy, I feel that responsibility with my job to be responsible for my job,” Contreras said. “I have more experience in the big leagues and communicate every little detail with them.
“I want them to learn from day one what adjustments we need to make and how our approach everybody they come up to face. That is something that is my responsibility to let them know, teach them and guide them the right way.”
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