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The Cubs bullpen has already seen a handful of changes through the first week of the 2020 season with the latest addition being 2014 draft pick Justin Steele.
The left-handed pitcher has made 75 starts in the minors and has posted a 3.62 ERA in 80 total appearances, covering 320.2 innings since he was taken in the fifth round out of high school.
This is Steele’s first call to the majors. He’s taking James Norwood’s spot in the bullpen, as the right-hander was placed on the 10-day injured list with shoulder inflammation.
Steele will wear #35, which was Cole Hamels’ number with the Cubs from 2018-20. And guess what, it’s no coincidence.
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Before Steele’s promotion to the big leagues, the Cubs only had two lefties in the bullpen and both have shown some shakiness. Rex Brothers was hit hard in his last appearance against the Reds, while Kyle Ryan’s velocity dipped Saturday night against the Pirates.
After the second game of the season, the other lefty on the Opening Day roster, Brad Wieck, went on the injured list with a strained hamstring.
Here’s a thread going over Steele’s profile.
