Ben Brown, Justin Steele Take Significant Steps Toward Cubs Returns
Ben Brown and Justin Steele are progressing toward potential returns as the Cubs prepare for the postseason.
Video Transcript
Some encouraging injury news for the Chicago Cubs coming, this week because two pitchers making the next step towards making a return to the Cubs roster.
Justin Steele, Ben Brown, both of them through live batting practice over the weekend.
Videos were shared of them on the mound in uniform throwing.
Craig Counsell says each one went really well.
It's all positive reactions from the Cubs on both Brown and Steele, and the next step is heading to Arizona.
The Cubs will play the Diamondbacks, starting on Monday, and while they do that, both Steele and Brown will make appearances in the Arizona Bridge League, which in the words of Counsell is a glorified live BP.
But it is still off the mound against real hitters, and another step towards returning.
Should things go well there, Brown is set to head back to Chicago with the Cubs to begin a rehab assignment before rejoining the team.
He's been one of the best pitchers on the Cubs when healthy in twenty twenty-six with a one eighty-five ERA over sixty-eight innings.
Multi-inning reliever, starting pitcher at times, but twice now on the IL with a neck strain, most recently on August third.
Justin Steele last pitched in the big leagues on April seventh, two thousand twenty-five.
Tommy John surgery has been followed up by a number of setbacks, and now the Cubs fans are just probably happy to see Justin Steele on the mound pitching and in a Cubs uniform.
The hope is that can he return to the mound even in a bullpen role with the Cubs sometime down the stretch?
And if he can, it could be a big lift to this pitching staff because you have Daniel Polencia fresh off the IL, Shelby Miller on a rehab assignment, Ben Brown maybe about to go on a rehab assignment, and still possibly Justin Steele returning.
At their best, these are two of the Cubs' very best pitchers.
So good news that both of them are starting to make progress towards a return and the Cubs remain optimistic about each of their chances.
We should have an update early next week following appearances in the Arizona Bridge League, but all good signs with Ben Brown and Justin Steele as of this weekend.
