Justin Steele's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Updating a previous report, the Chicago Cubs are saying that left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) left his Opening Day start on Thursday night against the defending World Series-champion Texas Rangers with left-hamstring tightness. Steele was holding his left hamstring after fielding a bunt up the first baseline and falling in the fifth inning as he made a flip to first base. The good news is that before leaving early, Steele had held the Rangers to an earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out six in 4 2/3 innings. It doesn't sound like the 28-year-old southpaw's injury is all that serious, but fantasy managers will still have to check back in the next few days to see if Steele will be able to make his next scheduled start.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (hamstring) exited during the fifth inning of Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers with an apparent left-hamstring injury. Steele went down after fielding a bunted ball and flipping it to first base, favoring what appeared to be his left hamstring. The 28-year-old southpaw was throwing well against an explosive Rangers lineup, giving up a lone run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts before departing, and the severity of the injury remains unknown. It would be a big blow to Chicago's rotation if their ace and 2023 All-Star needs to miss time beyond Opening Day, and fantasy managers will have to hold their breath until the Cubs update Steele's status. The flame-throwing Julian Merryweather took over after Steele's exit.

Chicago Cubs Opening Day starter Justin Steele (knee) said on Monday that he threw a bullpen session in camp and that all systems are go for him to kick off the 2024 regular season on Thursday against the defending World Series-champion Texas Rangers on the road. The 28-year-old southpaw was removed from his final Cactus League start last Friday as a precaution due to a left-knee contusion, but it's obviously nothing serious and he will kick off the Opening Day festivities for the Cubbies later this week. Steele is firmly on the fantasy radar as a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 fantasy starter this year after earning his first All-Star selection in 2023 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 36 walks and a career-high 176 K's in 30 starts. The matchup against the defending World champs on the road isn't the best one for DFS purposes, though.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele remains on track to make his Opening Day start this Thursday against the Rangers. The southpaw suffered a knee contusion Friday after being hit by a line drive in a Cactus League contest versus the Giants. By Saturday, Steele said that it was bruised and sore, but that's it. The 2023 All-Star went 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA (3.02 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, and a 19.6% K-BB% in 2023. The 28-year-old's NFBC ADP of 103 overall isn't giving him the credit he deserves with a RotoBaller rank of 84 overall. The lefty is a solid No. 3 starter for fantasy squads, with No. 2 upside.

According to the Chicago Cubs, left-hander Justin Steele (knee) left his Cactus League start on Friday against the San Francisco Giants with a left-knee contusion after he was drilled by a comebacker in the second inning. It's not a serious injury, so Steele should still be able to make his Opening Day start next Thursday on March 28. The 28-year-old southpaw made his first All-Star team in 2023 by going 16-5 with a career-best 3.06 ERA (3.02 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 36 walks and career-high 176 strikeouts in 173 1/3 innings over 30 starts. Steele doesn't have eye-opening velocity but still manages to strike out a fair number of batters and has done a good job of limiting home runs early in his MLB career. After his strong 2023 campaign, he's become a nice target as a low-end No. 2 fantasy starter/high-end No. 3.