Cubs’ pitching reinforcements take shape as trade deadline arrives

The Chicago Cubs opened a weekend series against the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field on Friday with more than the matchup on their minds. A pitching staff reshaped by injuries all season received a series of encouraging updates, with Justin Steele throwing off flat ground and Daniel Palencia and Edward Cabrera moving closer to game action. The developments arrive just before Monday’s MLB trade deadline, giving the front office a clearer picture of what internal help might be available down the stretch.

Key facts

Steele rebuilding after setback

Steele made his presence felt at Wrigley Field on Friday morning, throwing 80 to 85 throws off flat ground and drawing attention as the Cubs prepared to face New York. He plans another flat-ground session Saturday before stepping onto a mound for roughly 20 pitches. That puts his recovery from internal brace surgery in April 2025 at a critical stage.

The Cubs have already indicated Steele would pitch out of the bullpen if he returns this season, which shortens his path back. Steele was built up to three innings in spring training before a setback forced him to pause his rehabilitation. Because he will not need to be stretched out as a starter, the final phase of his recovery should move faster than the initial build-up.

Steele was one of the National League’s most reliable starters from 2022 through 2024, posting a 3.10 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP across 78 games while finishing fifth in Cy Young voting in 2023. Relief work is not unfamiliar to him — he began his big-league career in the bullpen, recording a 2.03 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 13.1 innings over 11 appearances in 2021.

Brown and Cabrera chart progress

Ben Brown, who is recovering from a serious neck injury — his second in three seasons — is also at Wrigley Field this weekend. He and Steele have been training together at the Cubs’ Arizona complex alongside prospect Cade Horton, and they have pushed each other through the recovery process. The Cubs did not provide a return timeline for Brown.

Starter Edward Cabrera reached a more concrete milestone Friday. Cabrera pitched for Triple-A Iowa in the