However, when speaking to reporters, including Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, Jed Hoyer said that he plans to address Steele’s injury with an internal option. Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talks to the media after introducing pitcher Shota Imanaga (not pictured) during a press conference at Loews Chicago Hotel.

The Chicago Cubs got dealt a devastating blow last week with the news that lefty Justin Steele would be lost for the rest of the 2025 season due to elbow surgery. Steele had established himself as the team's co-ace alongside Shota Imanaga, and was coming off seven brilliant, shutout innings against the Texas Rangers in his most recent start.

The Cubs do not have a way to immediately and seamlessly replace Steele, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017.