Steele will start the Cubs' domestic opener March 27 in Arizona, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Steele started the second game of the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers this week -- allowing five runs over four innings -- and will get the first turn back home. He will be followed by Jameson Taillon against the Diamondbacks.

Steele (0-1) took the loss against the Dodgers in Tokyo on Wednesday after he surrendered five runs on five hits and one walk across four innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Steele struggled to a 9.35 ERA in three spring appearances, and those troubles carried over to his 2025 debut. The left-hander had a 0.7 HR/9 in the previous three seasons, but he was taken deep Wednesday by Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez. Steele built up to 67 pitches and could face some minor workload limitations for his first couple starts stateside as he continues to build up his arm.

Steele (illness) allowed seven runs on 10 hits across 3.2 innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

After being scratched from his scheduled start last week due to flu-like symptoms, Steele got bumped back to Tuesday and struggled with the extra time off, allowing three home runs in the short outing. The lefty finishes his spring training schedule with a rough 9.35 ERA across three appearances. Despite that, Steele is slated to start the Cubs' second game against the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 19.

Steele (illness) will start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Steele was scratched from his previous scheduled start last Thursday against the Royals after experiencing flu-like symptoms, but he resumed throwing over the weekend without issue and won't be forced to miss any further turns through the spring rotation. Tuesday's outing will mark Steele's final start of spring training before he makes his 2025 debut during the Cubs' second game of the season March 19 versus the Dodgers in Tokyo.

Steele (illness) is feeling better and will get some throwing in at the Cubs' spring training complex Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Steele had been scheduled to start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals but had to stay home while battling the flu. The lefty is expected to get in one more appearance, likely in a simulated game, before making his first start of the regular season March 19 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.

Steele was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday due to flu-like symptoms, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Steele had been set to make his third start of the spring Thursday, but he'll instead have to wait until his illness passes. While he recovers, Ben Brown will step in to start against the Royals.

Steele could incorporate his changeup more often in 2025 after throwing it 3.3% of the time last season, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

While 3.3% isn't a particularly high rate, it did mark a new career high for Steele, who threw his changeup 2.1% of the time in 2022 and just 1% of the time in 2023. The lefty mostly utilizes a fastball-slider mix, but working in his off-speed stuff more frequently could help him keep hitters off balance. Expect Steele to continue to work on the pitch in spring training, and if he develops confidence in it, he could increase his usage during the regular season. The 29-year-old missed some time due to injury in 2024 but was effective when healthy, posting a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135 strikeouts across 134.2 innings.

Steele tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed two hits and struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

In his first action of the spring, Steele already appeared to be in midseason form. The lefty was limited to only 24 starts last year due to hamstring and forearm injuries, but he was effective when healthy, compiling a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings. Steele figures to slot in behind Shota Imanaga in Chicago's rotation this season, giving the Cubs an imposing 1-2 punch, and both are attractive options for fantasy managers.

Manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Steele is lined up to start March 19 against the Dodgers in the second of two games in Tokyo, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Steele is expected to oppose Roki Sasaki, although the Dodgers have not yet made that official. Steele, 29, was limited to 24 starts last season due to hamstring and forearm injuries, but he pitched well when on the bump, collecting a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings.

The Cubs and Steele avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year $6.55 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander had been eligible for salary arbitration for the second time. Steele missed a little time with injury in 2024 but was highly effective again when on the bump, putting up a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings.