The Chicago Cubs began 2025 with full optimism. But that positive momentum hit a big bump in mid-April. News broke that their ace lefty, Justin Steele, required season-ending elbow surgery. The loss of Steele, an All-Star and Cy Young candidate just two seasons ago, was bigger than just an individual pitcher. His long-term absence leaves a massive void, tests the team’s depth, and now forces the front office to make difficult calls that might reshape the roster sooner than anyone expected.

Steele’s elbow issues began amid a dominant start versus Texas on April 7. He felt discomfort but pushed through it. The issue lingered, resulting in an initial diagnosis of elbow tendinitis — something he had experienced previously — and a visit to the injured list on April 9. But because it was a recurring problem, the team sought a second opinion. That second look confirmed significant UCL damage.

The crushing news came on April 13, from Manager Craig Counsell: Steele’s season was over. He underwent a “revision repair” surgery (not a full Tommy John), facing a roughly one-year recovery, expecting a 2026 return. Losing his reliable presence (3.30 career ERA entering 2025) is concerning for Chicago.

This gap appears to be pressuring the Cubs’ hand early. According to Bruce Levine (reported via Bleacher Nation’s Michael Cerami), the team is not waiting until the summer trade deadline to seek help. Levine reported the Cubs are “already browsing the trade market to look for pitching help” for both starters and relievers following Steele’s surgery. And as Cerami pointed out, significant deals in April are “extremely unlikely.”

He adds some context from Levine, suggesting “a handful of teams are off to poor starts or (are) in situations in which they want to improve their organizational depth and thus could be willing to listen.” This early scouting suggests a potential significant shakeup could be on the horizon.

The urgency had not been limited to Steele. His injury came amidst a wave of other pitching setbacks. At roughly the same time, important relievers Javier Assad (oblique), Tyson Miller (hip), Ryan Brasier (groin), and, later, Eli Morgan (elbow) went on the injured list, too. All of a sudden, the Cubs weren’t just patching one hole in the rotation.

That pressure resulted in some immediate roster shuffling. Prospect Caleb Kilian, once a key piece in the Kris Bryant trade, was designated for assignment. And he was released to make room for newly acquired reliever Tom Cosgrove. The move indicated that Chicago preferred immediate big-league bullpen help and 40-man roster flexibility over waiting on Kilian’s development.

At the same time, young arms such as Jordan Wicks, Luke Little, and Daniel Palencia were constantly shuttled between Triple-A Iowa and Chicago, showing an ongoing search for reliable contributors.

Cubs trade targets: Exploring rotation and bullpen reinforcements

And with the front office reportedly browsing the market, who might they target? Levine pointed out a few interesting, albeit difficult, rotation options.

Miami’s Sandy Alcantara, a former Cy Young winner also recovering from surgery, is a prime candidate. But the asking price is reportedly “really steep,” likely requiring top prospect Owen Caissie and more. Another name was Minnesota’s Pablo Lopez. But he, too, is injured and owed a hefty $21.5 million salary for this year and next.

Levine even mentioned Cardinals pitchers Sonny Gray and Erick Fedde. Though trades between the Cubs and St. Louis are incredibly rare.

While the Cubs explore trades, internal options are getting their chance. Colin Rea, a veteran, was plugged into the rotation and dazzled at first with a 1.32 ERA over his first 13.2 innings. But his career 4.48 ERA indicates that the hot start might cool off. Young righty Ben Brown also got starts, showing strikeout stuff (26 K’s in 21.2 IP) but also inconsistency (4.57 ERA, 1.75 WHIP). Jordan Wicks, recalled in mid-April, initially worked out of the bullpen.

The Cubs aren’t just looking for starters, either. The team is interested in “another lockdown reliever,” Levine also reported.

This follows an offseason bullpen overhaul that added veterans Ryan Pressly, Brasier, and Morgan. But early injuries to Brasier and Morgan, combined with some initial command issues from Pressly (6 walks vs. 2 strikeouts in the first 6 games), underscored lingering questions about the bullpen. The dream target is Oakland’s Mason Miller. But with 4.5 years of team control, Levine notes the A’s would demand a “boatload of talent,” likely making him too expensive.

So, the question remains: Can the current group hold the line? Or will Jed Hoyer orchestrate a major mid-season shakeup to keep the Cubs in the playoff race without their ace?