Cubs manager David Ross said Wednesday that Steele (forearm) is on track to return June 17 against the Orioles, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

That is the exact date that Steele will first become eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list. He was diagnosed late last week with a left forearm strain, but it's considered relatively minor and he is set to throw a "touch-and-feel" side session Wednesday, per Ross. The 27-year-old southpaw had worked to a sharp 2.65 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 58:16 K:BB through 12 starts (68 innings) prior to the IL stint.

Steele was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 2, with a left forearm strain by the Cubs on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Steele was removed from Wednesday's start with a "mild" left forearm strain, and it's not a surprise that the southpaw will miss a couple of weeks while he recovers. Miguel Amaya has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Steele's place on the roster. The Cubs will likely make another roster move when Steele's turn in the rotation comes up.

Steele was diagnosed Friday with a mild left forearm strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's relatively good news for Steele, who was removed from his last turn in the Cubs' rotation Wednesday against the Rays after experiencing forearm tightness. He's yet to be placed on the injured list, though that move could still happen following another day or two of assessment and evaluation. The 27-year-old southpaw has been excellent so far in 2023, working to a 2.65 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 58:16 K:BB through 12 starts covering 68 innings.

Steele's left forearm injury is not considered serious, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Steele was slated to undergo an MRI on Thursday after having to leave Wednesday's start due to tightness in his forearm. While the results of that MRI haven't been revealed, it would appear the Cubs received good news. Steele could still miss at least one start and might go on the injured list as a precaution, but he appears to have avoided a major setback.

Cubs manager David Ross said Steele will undergo an MRI on his left forearm Thursday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ross had no other information, and the MRI might just be precautionary, but there's an ominous feeling to this situation after Steele was forced from his start Wednesday afternoon against the Rays due to forearm tightness. He had thrown three perfect frames prior to his departure, lowering his season ERA to 2.65. If the 27-year-old southpaw requires a stint on the 15-day injured list -- which seems likely even if the MRI is clean -- Hayden Wesneski would be a good bet to fill the vacant rotation spot.

Steele was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays due to left forearm tightness, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs likely won't have a return timeline available for Steele until he undergoes further testing on his forearm, but based on the initial diagnosis, he'll almost certainly be headed for the 15-day injured list. Before he was visited on the mound by manager David Ross and a team trainer in the third inning, Steele was cruising through his 12th start of the season, as he retired all nine batters he faced on 29 pitches. Hayden Wesneski came on in bulk relief to replace Steele and would likely be the top candidate to enter the rotation in the event that Steele winds up on the IL.

Steele was removed from his start Wednesday versus the Rays due to an apparent injury, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Steele received a visit on the mound from Cubs manager David Ross and trainer Nick Frangella in the top of the third inning and didn't return from the dugout to begin the top of the fourth. He had thrown three perfect frames on 29 pitches -- 19 strikes -- so his departure was almost certainly related to an injury or an illness. Expect the Cubs to provide an update on Steele's situation shortly.

Steele (6-2) took the loss Friday, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits over 3.2 innings during a 9-0 loss to the Reds. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Steele got roughed up Friday, allowing a season-high 10 hits and at least five earned runs for the second time over his past three starts, but he's still been solid to start 2023. He doesn't face any threats to his spot in the rotation and sports above-average numbers with a 2.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 57:16 K:BB over 11 appearances (65 innings). For the most part, the left-hander has relied on a two-pitch mix, but he may need to work in a third offering to switch things up after a couple of poor outings.

Steele did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings against the Phillies. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Steele was sharp Sunday, blanking a powerful Phillies lineup over six innings after allowing a season-high five runs against the Astros in his last outing. The 27-year-old left-hander is 6-1 this season with a sparkling 2.20 ERA and 1.01 WHIP and 53:16 K:BB through 10 starts (61.1 innings). Steele's 7.78 K/9 would be a career low, though he's held opponents to a 24.3 percent hard-hit rate, putting him in the 97th percentile in the league.

Steele (6-1) allowed five runs on five hits across six innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Astros. He walked one and struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

Steele took his first loss of the season but actually pitched pretty well by scattering six baserunners across six innings while tying his season high in strikeouts. Houston is a tough place to pitch, and the lefty still has a solid 2.44 ERA, so he should bounce back quickly. Steele is tentatively set to take the hill again Sunday against the Phillies.