Chicago Cubs: Bad news update on two injured pitchers, reality checks on two others

A big storyline in this latter part of the season for the Chicago Cubs has been the small legion of injured pitchers approaching a return to the majors.

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With the four pitchers picked up at the trade deadline and those slated for a comeback, fans and media anticipated a surplus of pitching possibilities as the regular season ended and the postseason began.

Some of those big comebacks look to be on the verge of panning out. Closer Daniel Palencia will be activated from the IL this Friday. Hoby Milner will be joining the team soon. The Cubs are also issuing positive reports on Ben Brown, who they believe could be back in a bullpen capacity by the final stretch of the season.

Some of the anticipated returns, however, are not so filled with positivity.

Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic recently posted an update on some of the Cubs pitchers working towards a return—and there was just as much bad and neutral news as there was good news.

Reality checks on Steele and Miller

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Justin Steele, who suffered a setback in his recovery from last year’s elbow surgery, is now firmly in the “well, maybe not after all” lane after earlier reports of the veteran lefty possibly coming back in time for the postseason.

Per Sharma:

“Justin Steele continues his methodical rehab process as Counsell said he’s on the “precipice” of facing hitters. It remains to be seen if he can get back to the big leagues this season. Just getting in game action, at any level, before the end of the season would be nice for Steele.”

Shelby Miller was signed to a two-year deal this offseason with the understanding that 2026 would be a recovery year after elbow surgery last fall. The veteran’s recovery, however, has been ahead of schedule and he’s already been designated for a minor league rehab assignment.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be back in the majors this season. Counsell has recently thrown a bit of a wet blanket over the idea of Miller pitching for Chicago in 2026.

“This is a longer ramp-up because we have to make sure Shelby can recover,” Counsell said. “He can’t pitch on a schedule; he has to be a standard member of the bullpen. And that’s probably the thing that will take a little longer.”

Bad news on Martin and Harvey

Meanwhile, the Cubs manager has flat-out nixed the possibility of rookie Riley Martin pitching for the Cubs this season. The southpaw seemed to be at the start of a breakthrough season until he went on the shelf with a left elbow flexor strain. Per Sharma, the injury could possibly even require surgery.

Also firmly aboard the bad news train is Hunter Harvey.

“We’re not in a great place with Harvey,” Counsell said. “He’s struggling to get going. We are running out of time there. The next couple days should tell us what direction we’re going there.”

The oft-injured righty was acquired on a one-year, $6 million contract in the offseason as a possible late-game, high-leverage bullpen asset. Harvey’s 2026, however, consists of just 4 innings pitched and an ERA of 6.75.

At least the Cubs will have Palencia and Milner back soon enough. Maybe even Brown could keep himself healthy playing a short-burst high-leverage role in the bullpen as the regular season comes to an end.

Chicago, like every other team pushing for postseason glory, will need all the pitching it can get.

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