ARLINGTON, Texas — Cubs pitcher Justin Steele left his begin within the fifth inning Thursday evening with left hamstring tightness after tumbling onto the turf at Globe Life Subject whereas fielding a bunt.
Steele bounded off the mound to flag down the bunt by Texas’ Leody Taveras up the first-base line. Steele fielded the ball and threw Taveras out at first base however crashed to the bottom and remained there for a second earlier than rolling over and grabbing in the back of his left leg, simply above the knee.
Supervisor Craig Counsell and the Cubs’ athletic coach got here onto the sector to examine on Steele, who quickly obtained up and walked off with Counsell at his aspect. Steele was changed by reliever Julian Merryweather.
“I used to be fielding the bunt or no matter and once I was leaning over backhanding the ball, form of felt one thing seize,” Steele mentioned. “Simply form of went down with it and did not wish to do something to danger additional harm.”
Steele may have an MRI on Friday morning and a visit to the injured checklist is anticipated, Counsell mentioned after the sport.
Steele, who went 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA en path to a fifth-place end in final season’s NL Cy Younger balloting, held the Rangers to 1 run and three hits over 4â…” innings of Chicago’s 4-3 loss earlier than departing. He struck out six.
“You are considering that it is only a disgrace,” Counsell mentioned. “He is pitching actually, very well. Clearly, an essential member of the workforce. This is part of a baseball season. Accidents are going to occur, and you have to rebound from them, get well from them.”
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.