Chicago Cubs ace Justin Steele, sidelined for the season with elbow surgery, has offered a fresh perspective on Shohei Ohtani’s gradual return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Steele, who expected to anchor the Cubs rotation, now observes from the dugout but remains engaged in the sport’s biggest storylines.
He did not hide his admiration when discussing Ohtani’s career resurgence.
“He’s the modern-day Babe Ruth… He’s the greatest player we’ve ever seen. We’ve never seen somebody do what he does at this level,” Steele said while speaking with Foul Territory.
Steele also showed understanding for the Dodgers’ strategy of limiting Ohtani to one inning at a time.
“Well, you gotta think-with him, it’s hard for him … do rehab starts,” Steele added before noting the inevitable media spectacle tied to Ohtani returning via the minors .
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed a slow and guarded plan for his two-way star, saying they will remain “cautious” in his recovery.
Cubs confront pitching void as Steele recovers
Steele’s season ending absence follows surgery on his flexor tendon and UCL, the same procedure he first underwent in 2017.
Chicago is scrambling to fill the void after falling ace Steele, Javier Assad, and Shta Imanaga all landed on the injured list.
Despite a strong start under Imanaga, bullpen reshuffling and rotation instability forced the Cubs to consider trade options for reinforcements.
Ben Brown’s recent struggles contribute to the urgency, with skepticism growing around internal solutions.
Fans are lobbying for outside help like Eugenio Suárez, whose bat could offer middleseason relief without costing top prospects.
As the Cubs pursue pitching depth, Steele continues his recovery and shows willingness to mentor within the clubhouse.
Meanwhile Ohtani’s carefully calibrated return is unfolding under intense scrutiny, spotlighted by his efficient oneinning showcase featuring 100 mph heaters and two strikeouts.
The Dodgers refrain from committing to a full restart in 2025 adds fuel to the debate about longterm planning versus shortterm adaptation.
Steele reminds that even traditional starters struggle with health over 162 games.
“Even when I pitch every fifth day, it’s hard to stay healthy. That’s what’s most impressive – he’s doing both,” he emphasised.
Whether Steele supports Ohtani’s gradual path or Chicago accelerates its trade pursuit, both narratives underscore the fragility and complexity of pitching in today’s MLB.
Analysis and next moves
Ohtani’s comeback challenges the norms of pitcher usage while preserving his dualthreat value.
The Dodgers’ caution may pay dividends long term, or risk undervaluing his unique skill set.
Chicago faces critical decisions: rely on internal options, trade for veteran help, or risk collapse in a tight division race.
With Steele’s future uncertain and Ohtani’s resurgence underway, the season is quickly turning into a narrative about how teams balance health, performance, and strategy.
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