Cubs get Justin Steele progress they've waited for with one important caveat

Ben Brown is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment for the Chicago Cubs within the next week, and it would seem Justin Steele isn't far behind from starting an assignment of his own. Steele is scheduled to throw live batting practice today and Friday, and if there's no further setbacks, he will be assigned to an affiliate for a rehab assignment.

If nothing else, this moment represents actual progress. Steele was pacing to start a minor-league rehab assignment in May of this season before suffering a flexor strain. That setback has forced the Cubs to reset their expectations for the 31-year-old, confirming that if he were to return this season, it would be in the bullpen.

As a whole, the Cubs' pitching outlook has also shifted. When Steele was making his initial recovery, even if they weren't admitting it publicly, his return to the rotation was going to be an important development for pitching staff this season.

That's no longer the case. The Cubs have gone from not having enough pitching, to having so much pitching that there might be an established named or two left off the postseason roster. It's why Steele's return this season is now viewed as a bonus, and not an expectation.

Craig Counsell urges patience with Justin Steele's looming Cubs return

Even as Steele approaches a potential minor-league rehab assignment, the Cubs are still pumping the brakes on his return.

“We need to get him pitching in games first,” Counsell told reporters. “We’re not going to skip steps. He rightfully should be (focused on returning this season), but we have a lot of steps to go before we get there. He hasn’t pitched in an affiliated game in almost two years, so let’s get him pitching in an affiliated game. We can understand that he’s going to have to pitch in multiple games before he’s ready.”

In terms of a timeline for Steele's return to the big-league, it would likely be near the end of September. It's why it's hard to imagine Steele being an option for the postseason roster initially. With the Cubs positioned to be playing in the Wild Card, they will need pitchers capable of going on back-to-back days. It's hard to imagine Steele being in a position to do so by the start of October.

That said, any return this season, should be a considered a success for the Cubs and Steele.

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