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With this Cubs season now being completed by placeholders and guys auditioning for 2022, the team recently announced they’d be going with a six-man rotation beginning this week.
The sixth man will be lefthander Justin Steele, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa this morning to start Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Brewers:
Cubs recall Justin Steele from Triple-A Iowa to start Game 1 of today’s twin bill. Lefty Kyle Ryan optioned.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 10, 2021
Steele previously made 11 relief appearances for the Cubs this year and posted a 2.03 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 13⅓ innings. He was injured May 20 running the bases and left the game [VIDEO].
After a rehab assignment to Triple-A Iowa, Steele was optioned there and stretched out to start. He threw 80 pitches in his last outing August 4 so he should be ready for today’s seven-inning first game.
Kyle Ryan has a 5.54 ERA and 1.615 WHIP in 12 appearances for the Cubs this year, in four separate stints for the team. As a lefty with an option remaining, the Iowa Shuttle could happen to him again this year.