Latest Cubs injury news is a haymaker at the worst possible time

The return of Jordan Wicks over the weekend was thought to be the Chicago Cubs' answer to the Kyle Hendricks' problem in the starting rotation.

With the Cubs having series ahead against the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, the thinking was that Hendricks would shift to the bullpen in favor of a rotation that consists of Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Javier Assad, and Wicks during the closing weeks of the regular season.

An unforeseen injury, however, may have altered the Cubs' plans. Prior to the team's loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night, Craig Counsell revealed that Steele, the scheduled starter for Tuesday's night game, will be skipped in the rotation this time around as he is dealing with elbow soreness.

Justin Steele's injury could not come at a worse time.

We'd be lying if we said this did not remind us of the ending of the 2023 season for the Cubs. Momentum was on the Cubs' side entering September last season before injuries to the pitching staff and a disappearing offense decimated the team's chances of making the postseason.

The Cubs' odds of reaching the postseason this year, entering September, remain slim, but momentum has been on their side after two consecutive road sweeps before losing to the Pirates at Wrigley Field on Monday night. If the Cubs are going to continue with momentum on their side, they will need Steele healthy and in the rotation.

As of now, Steele is expected to miss only one start, but the Cubs are in a wait-and-see pattern. While the Cubs may be able to get away with starting Hendricks against the Pirates, his last start notwithstanding, it would be a recipe for disaster if they started him against the Yankees or Dodgers.