On March 22, the Chicago Cubs played the San Francisco Giants in Cactus League action. Justin Steele, the Cubs’ ace, began the game for the team but left it early due to a leg injury. A comebacker off Steele’s left leg occurred in the top of the second inning.

Steele updated people on social media about his injury. His succinct reply suggested that his March Madness bracket held greater significance than his leg.

“I’m alright. Not in my bracket, Steele wrote on X.

Justin Steele Set to Lead the Cubs Rotation in 2024

Before his stint was cut short, Steele made his fourth Cactus League start of 2024. Steele has a 4.91 ERA across 11.0 innings in four appearances. On March 9, Steele was announced as the Cubs’ Opening Day starter. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports that the March 22 outing was slated as his “final tune-up” before opening day.

In2014, the Cubs selected Steele in the first round out of George County High School. It wasn’t until 2021 that he made his big league debut. In 2023, Steele will make his first opening day start of the career after spending years in the minor leagues.

It won’t always be attractive. Steele stated on March 9 that “it’s not always going to be how you thought of it,” according to Bastian. However, there are moments when you just need to put your head down, get through the difficult times, and remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

In 2023, Steele’s record was 16–5, and his ERA was 3.06. In the vote for the National League Cy Young Award, he came in sixth.

The Cubs’ bench behind Steele consists of Javier Assad, Kyle Hendricks, Shota Imanaga, and Jordan Wicks. Bastian reports that right-hander Jameson Taillon will open the season on the disabled list.

State of the Cubs Rotation

This summer, the Cubs added left-hander Shōta Imanaga via free agency. Imanaga had a 2.77 ERA and a 7-5 record in Japan the previous season. Bastian claims that Imanaga inked a $53 million, four-year contract. The Cubs have the option to extend the agreement to five years in 2025 and 2026.

Imanaga is widely believed to be able to fill in right away as a No. 2-3 caliber arm. Imanaga had a 2.80 ERA in 148 innings pitched last season for Yokohama in Nippon Professional Baseball, with a league-high 174 strikeouts, according to Bastian.

Imanaga has started three games for the Cactus League. This spring, he has struck out 19 batters in 9.2 innings. Steele and the 30-year-old southpaw might be a dominant duo at the top of the rotation.

Hendricks, who has played for the Cubs for eleven seasons, will be back with the team. The Cubs rotation is somewhat young after him. Assad, Imanaga, Steele, and Wicks combined have less major league experience than Hendricks.

Throughout his career, Hendricks has started three Opening Day games. The 34-year-old is optimistic that Steele will perform admirably under pressure.

“Game 1 is difficult due to the high level of emotion and intensity.” Hendricks stated, “He’s going to handle it great,” according to Bastian.

In the majors last season, the Cubs had the ninth-best ERA. With Steele and Imanaga leading the way, they might become even more effective in 2024.