The Cubs have positioned left-handed beginning pitcher Justin Steele on the 15-day injured listing because of elbow tendonitis, the workforce introduced Wednesday. As a corresponding transfer, righty Ethan Roberts has been recalled from the minors. 

Heading into Wednesday’s sequence finale in opposition to the Rangers, the Cubs sit at 9-5 and in first place within the NL Central. Steele hadn’t been excellent in his first three outings, however actually settled in with seven scoreless innings on solely three hits whereas placing out eight in Monday night time’s win. He is 3-1 with a 4.76 ERA proper now. The 2023 All-Star is a frontline starter when he is going effectively, so that is very dangerous information for the Cubs.

Right here within the brief time period, because of scheduled days off, the Cubs will not want an everyday fifth starter. Shota Imanaga goes Wednesday with a day without work Thursday earlier than Matthew Boyd, Ben Brown and Jameson Taillon can take the three begins for the weekend sequence in opposition to the Dodgers (Taillon went Tuesday and was scheduled for subsequent Monday, however he’ll be on regular relaxation Sunday). Imanaga may then begin Monday with a spot starter wanted for Tuesday earlier than Boyd is lined up for Wednesday. Then there’s one other day without work Thursday with the next Monday (April 21) additionally empty. In addition they have days off on Thursday the twenty fourth and Monday the twenty eighth. 

That is to say that if Steele’s harm solely requires a minimal stint on the IL, the Cubs will actually solely want to exchange one begin. 

Some choices: 

• Whether it is, certainly, only one spot begin, Colin Rea looks like the man. He is been a starter as not too long ago as final season and threw 40 and 23 pitches in his earlier two reduction outings, respectively, this season. 
• Brad Keller has been a starter prior to now and threw 46 pitches in his first outing this season, although he is solely had three brief reduction appearances since. 
• Javier Assad could be a logical selection, however he is nonetheless working his means again from an indirect harm. 
• Chris Flexen, Jordan Wicks, Caleb Kilian, Cade Horton and Connor Noland are within the Triple-A rotation. Wicks and Kilian are on the 40-man roster. 

The Cubs end their sequence with the Rangers at 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday (TEX -115; CHI -105; over/below: 7.5, through DraftKings) after which journey to L.A. to face the Dodgers for 3 video games beginning on Friday.