Justin Steele will return to the rotation for Wednesday’s series finale after 17 days on the IL with elbow tendinitis, Craig Counsell told the media Tuesday evening. Steele told reporters over the weekend that he expected to be activated during the homestand, so this doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. There is still some concern, however, that activating a pitcher with previous injury issues for what could amount to three meaningless starts is not in the best interest of either team or player.
I don’t necessarily disagree with that take, particularly when weighing the Cubs’ possible penchant for letting players’ egos determine their availability, but I think we should give them the benefit of the doubt here.