The Chicago Cubs have been scraping by with a patchwork rotation for months, but the light at the end of the tunnel just got a little brighter. On the eve of Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, the club received meaningful updates on two left-handed starters who could reshape their playoff push.
Justin Steele, the 30-year-old southpaw who made the All-Star team in 2023, is progressing from a left flexor strain that has kept him sidelined since last season. According to MLB.com, Steele will continue a throwing program over the next three weeks and is expected to return during the second half of the 2026 campaign. He last pitched in a major league game in 2025, making just four starts that year. The team has not confirmed a specific return date, but the timeline suggests he could be back by late July or early August.
Matthew Boyd, the 35-year-old veteran, is closer to returning. Boyd has been battling a left meniscus injury, and reports indicate he is scheduled to throw an up-down bullpen session on Tuesday. Barring any setbacks, he should rejoin the rotation at some point this month. Before landing on the injured list, Boyd posted a 6.00 ERA across five starts this season — numbers that need improvement, but his experience could stabilize a staff that has leaned heavily on young arms.
The Cubs sit at 38-35, good for third place in the National League Central. It’s been an uneven ride, but the division remains wide open. Chicago’s pitching depth has been tested all year, with key arms cycling through the IL. Getting Steele and Boyd back — even in limited roles — could provide a much-needed jolt.
Chicago kicked off a three-game set at Wrigley Field with a 5-4 win over the Rockies on Monday. Tuesday night’s game is slated for 8:05 PM EST, and the Cubs have a chance to clinch the series before a day off Thursday. The offense has carried its share of the weight, but the rotation has been thin. If Steele can rediscover his 2023 form — when he posted a 3.06 ERA and finished fifth in Cy Young voting — and Boyd can eat innings, the Cubs could make noise in the second half.
Fans online have noted that both players are key to any serious contention run. The team has not confirmed whether either will face a rehab assignment before returning, but the next few weeks will be telling. For now, Chicago is holding its breath and hoping the bullpen holds together just a little longer.
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