The Cubs lost ace southpaw for the year last week when it was announced hed need , but Steele didnt actually go under the knife until Friday. Prior to todays game against the Diamondbacks, manager updated reporters (including ) on Steeles status post-surgery and offered some positive news for fans in Chicago. Bastian notes that the Cubs described Steeles procedure as a revision repair of the UCL in his left elbow. Thats a le s serious procedure than Tommy John surgery, which entirely replaces the UCL. Counsell suggested that the initial timeline for Steeles return to action is roughly one year, which would suggest that he can be expected back on the mound fairly early into the 2026 season. Its great news for the Cubs and Steele, particularly because Steele already had Tommy John surgery early in his career when he was still a prospect. Second Tommy John surgeries typically come with a rehab on the longer side of the surgerys typical 12-to-18 month recovery timeline, and occasionally require an even longer layoff. Had Steele required full Tommy John surgery, it wouldnt have been a shock to see Steele not take a big Jim Fregosi Jersey league mound again until the final weeks of the 2026 season, as was the case for when he returned from his second Tommy John surgery last September after nearly 17 months spent rehabbing. Fortunately, that wasnt the case, and the Cubs will be able to plan for the 2026 campaign with a reasonable expectation that Steele will be a big part of their rotation mix next year, as was the case for the Braves after underwent an internal brace procedure early in the 2024 season that came with a similar one-year timetable. , , and are among a handful of front-of-the-rotation arms who figure to be highly sought after this winter, but an early 2026 target for Steele could make the Cubs le s inclined to get involved in the markets for those pitchers, especially if they decide to commit their free agent dollars to a pursuit of a long-term deal with star outfielder . While the Cubs can expect Steele to pitch for the club again in 2026, the hit to their short-term rotation depth could still lead them to pursue pitching help this summer. The Cubs appear focused on internal solutions for the time being, and has held his own impre sively since subbing in for Steele after opening the year in the bullpen, with effective (although brief) starts against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks during which hes surrendered just two runs with ten strikeouts against one walk acro s 8 1/3 innings of work. That sensational production cant be expected to last forever, but with top pitching prospect striking out 37.5% of his opponents at Triple-A its at least po sible the Cubs could enter July feeling good about their rotation for the stretch run. Plenty of arms should be available at the deadline if they do end up needing reinforcements, with the Marlins standing out as the most frequently discu sed name. Aside from Alcantara, players like , , , and could all theoretically be available on the trade market depending on the where their respective clubs find themselves in the standings this summer. Aside from Alcantara, each of those players can become free agents following the 2025 season. That could be preferable for the Cubs in the event they do pursue pitching help given that Steele is expected to pitch most of the 2026 season and each of , , and are already under contract for next year, while the club holds an option on Rea. Texas Rangers Jersey