CHICAGO (AP) — When Justin Steele got hurt on opening day, the big question for the Chicago Cubs centered on the state of their rotation without their ace left-hander.
That concern faded away over time.
Steele returned to one of baseball’s best rotations on Monday night, starting the opener of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres. He allowed three hits, struck out two and walked one in 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
It was Steele’s first major league appearance since he strained his left hamstring while making a play on a sacrifice bunt at Texas on March 28.
The 28-year-old Steele was a breakout performer last year, going 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 30 starts. He made the NL All-Star team for the first time and finished fifth in balloting for the NL Cy Young Award.
Steele made a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, allowing three runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings. He threw 68 pitches against San Diego, 43 for strikes.
Guiyang's autonomous vehicles reflects booming development in digital manufacturing sector
Chinese home appliance firms expand global market with great vigor
Insights丨Experts call for a fair reading of China’s prospect
Xi Addresses Opening Ceremony of Plenary Session of Second Eurasian Economic Forum
Insights丨Experts call for a fair reading of China’s prospect
Serbian president receives injection of Chinese COVID
Autumn scenery in Changqing scenic area, Hebei
China, Pakistan celebrate 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties
Scenery of Arxan National Forest Park in north China's Inner Mongolia
Xi Inspects City of Laibin in South China's Guangxi