After 4.2 innings, Justin Steele was looking very strong and had struck out six batters. Steele looks to have hurt his leg while diving for a bunt. Steele grabbed his left leg’s back while lying on the grass at the first baseline. We can only pray that it’s not worse, like a knee injury, and only a hamstring. Steele’s decision to leave the game on his own suggests that things might not be as serious as they seem. The score was knotted at one when Steele left the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Julian Merryweather came into the game with two outs.
Steele had been pitching well, striking out six batters while giving up just three hits, one run, and one walk. With 68 pitches, 47 of which were strikes, Steele appeared to be continuing where he left off from the previous year. This is a serious setback for a Cubs club hoping to start the season well, as the score is tied at one. The Cubs will be closely monitoring Justin’s leg condition to determine its severity, especially because James Taillon is already on the injured list.
This is a hard blow on opening night since your ace is playing well and the team is looking strong. Hopefully, this is merely a preventative measure. If the squad hopes to contend for the division title and go far in the playoffs, they must replicate Steele’s 2023 campaign. I believe Drew Smyly would start in Steele’s place if he were to miss any time.
