Chicago Cubs lefty Justin Steele made his return to the starting rotation, making the start in Wednesday’s series finale against the Oakland A’s. Steele, who hasn’t pitched for the team since Aug. 27, missed the last three weeks of action because of left elbow tendinitis, wasn’t expected to go long against the A’s, but his start was cut even shorter thanks to a brutal call from the home plate umpire.
Steele did not go on a rehab assignment, instead ramping up by throwing bullpen sessions and after being pain-free the left-hander was activated off the injured list Wednesday. The Cubs’ ace had a pitch count of about 60 pitches and he was cruising along until the third inning, when Oakland singled twice with two outs. The second hit of the frame came after a blown call on a 0-2 pitch to right-handed slugger Brent Rooker.
Steele threw one of his best pitches of the afternoon, dotting the inside edge of the plate with a 94mph fastball. A clear strike that home plate umpire Paul Clemons missed.
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Following Rooker’s single that put runners at first and third Steele walked the next batter and at 57 pitches his day was done. The blown call that should have ended the third inning with a strikeout of Rooker was on Steele’s 45th pitch of the game. There was a very good chance that Steele would have tossed one more inning against the A’s before coming out because of his pitch count.
A frustrating return for Steele, who only last 2.2 innings and his start really was ruined by something that is so easy to fix.
With 10 games remaining after Wednesday for the Cubs, Steele will have the opportunity to make two more starts in 2024. The 29-year-old has a 3.03 ERA in 130.2 innings so far this season.
