Justin Steele Leaves the Game After the Third Inning (UPDATES)
Didn’t think that’s what a Hayden Wesneski piggyback appearance would look like. Hopefully this is nothing, and Wesneski pitches well now in relief of Justin Steele.
That is to say, Justin Steele’s day was done after just three innings today, despite pitching well and being at only 29 pitches. David Ross and the athletic trainer came out to visit Steele in the middle of the third inning, but after a brief conversation, Steele stayed in to finish the inning. You could hope, on that basis, that his exit today was something more like an illness or cramping or something like that, rather than an injury. But we’ll see when we see.
UPDATE: Jed Hoyer says on the broadcast that Justin Steele was trying to stretch out his forearm for most of the game, and the Cubs wanted to be cautious in that removal. No definitive word on what the Cubs are thinking, though. I hate the word forearm there.
UPDATE 2: Officially left forearm tightness:
Cubs announce Justin Steele left today's game with left forearm tightness. — Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) May 31, 2023
Came to figure this was going to be the in-game update. Unfortunately doesn’t tell us much of anything. This can be something, or it can be nothing. We’ll know more later, I guess.
UPDATE 3: When you get pulled for “forearm tightness,” I would absolutely hope you get imaging done before picking up a ball again. Hopefully it shows nothing.
Source: bleachernation.com
