Cubs Charting Course for Pitcher Justin Steele’s Return with Mervis Addition and Garrett Cooper Trade

The Chicago Cubs have a plan in place for pitcher Justin Steele’s return, with his next step being moving to the Triple-A level next week. After facing live hitters for three innings at the team’s complex in Arizona on Friday, Steele will likely continue his rehab in Iowa on Wednesday. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy has outlined a schedule for Steele’s return, with the next step mapped out for Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, Steele could be back on a five-day rotation and ready to throw on Monday, May 6. This aligns with the Cubs’ schedule, as their minor league affiliates are off that day but the Chicago Cubs are playing the Padres at Wrigley Field.

In other news, the Cubs traded veteran Garrett Cooper to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. The decision to trade Cooper was made after the Cubs added Matt Mervis to the big-league roster and felt they had enough right-handed hitters with Patrick Wisdom back from injury. They were in search of a left-handed bat to balance out the roster, which they found in Mervis. The Cubs have not yet announced if Steele will make one or multiple rehab outings with a minor league affiliate before returning to the big leagues.