Chicago Cubs starter Justin Steele appears to be making outstanding progress after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, checking every milestone along the way from receiving full clearance from his surgeon to recently facing live hitters. Great as this is, his timeline to return to the big leagues remains late May to early June.
With Steele projected to miss around the first two months of the season, the Cubs face an important roster decision with him that must be made prior to Opening Day. That is whether to put him on the 15-day or 60-day injured list.
Should the Chicago Cubs place Justin Steele on the 15-day or 60-day injured list to begin the 2026 season?
From a roster construction standpoint, the key difference between the 15-day and 60-day injured lists is how they affect the Cubs’ roster flexibility. The 15-day IL doesn’t free up a spot on the 40-man roster, meaning Chicago can’t bring in a replacement for Steele, potentially leaving them short-handed as they wait for him to recover.
Timeline-wise, Steele’s projected return lands right on the 60-day borderline. A late-May return would come just under that threshold, creating the risk of delaying his return if he’s ready but ineligible due to a 60-day IL placement. An early-June timeline, however, would push him beyond 60 days, removing the concern of keeping him sidelined longer than necessary. For now, it remains unclear which way his recovery will break.
Ultimately, the Cubs must decide between maximizing roster flexibility and ensuring Steele returns as soon as he’s ready. With his timeline hovering around that critical 60-day mark, the decision isn’t straightforward and could have ripple effects on both the pitching staff and overall roster construction.
Chicago Cubs: Suzuki will miss Opener, Conforto to make roster
Read MoreFor More Great Chicago Sports Content
Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.
Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
