👋 Good morning!

Well, congratulations to the Reinsdorfs, who got everything they wanted last night.

Chicago’s big win at home against the Heat put the Bulls squarely in the driver’s seat to host at least one extra game at the United Center this season.

Beyond that? Everything’s gravy for Jerry and Michael. There hasn’t been an expectation of legitimate success in Chicago for a decade, so fans must appreciate the annual play-in push, right? Right?!

And that’s why Chicago hasn’t made it beyond the first round of the playoffs since 2015 — Tom Thibodeau’s last year in town.

– Patrick Norton

Steele shelved.

After throwing seven scoreless innings in his best outing of the year on Monday night, Justin Steele is headed to the 15-day injured list with left elbow tendinitis.

• The Cubs’ ace told reporters that his arm started to tighten up on him around the fourth inning of Monday’s win. He came into the stadium on Tuesday to run through his normal recovery routine but still felt abnormal soreness and tightness, leading to the club’s decision to shut him down.
   

• Steele, 29, also indicated he felt that a full recovery wouldn’t require a long absence from the rotation, comparing it to IL stints in Jun. 2023 (forearm) and Sept. 2024 (elbow) that sidelined him for less than three weeks each time.
   

• “We’re going to take the conservative route,” Craig Counsell told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s loss. “He had symptoms of an injury he experienced last year, and for that reason, rather than having him focus on his next start, I think it’s best we back off that and make sure he recovers in a really good place.
   
  “We’re hoping it’s the minimum, and he can be ready to go in a couple of weeks.”

A minimum stay on the IL only ends up costing Steele three starts. In the grand scheme, it could be a lot worse, but it’s still not a time to jump up and down like a bunch of delirious 10-year-olds.

This is the second instance of Steele missing time in the last eight months with an elbow issue. It’s something that’ll have to be monitored and managed, and even if they’re careful, it could still unexpectedly flare up.

It also comes at quite an inopportune moment. Two weeks into the season, the Cubs are situated where they’d like to be: atop the NL Central. But they’ve gotten there on the backs of a red-hot offense and in spite of the pitching staff’s below-average start to the year.

Included in that “below-average” start? Justin Steele, who owned a 6.89 ERA over his first three outings of the year before Monday night’s scoreless gem. Now, instead of building on it, the injury sets him and the club back.

Despite Steele’s looming absence, it’s too early in the season to expect the Cubs to scramble for an elite arm on the trade block (*ahem* Sandy Alcantara), but we’ll learn a lot about the legitimacy of the 9-6 ballclub over these next couple weeks.

What awaits the Steele-less Cubs? A trip out west to see the Dodgers and Padres before returning home to face the Diamondbacks, Dodgers and Phillies. Good luck with that!

GO DEEPER: The CHGO Cubs show broke down what Steele’s injury means for the Cubs and its potential domino effect.

Quick Hits

• Lame. Heavy drama, top of the ninth, two outs. Miguel Vargas smacked a liner into left; Jake Amaya scored easily from third, and…Mike Tauchman pulled his hamstring heading for the plate.
   
  Representing the tying run, a hobbled Tauchman limped his way into an awaiting tag at home to end the game. It was the White Sox's seventh consecutive loss and by far the cruelest.

Deep Thoughts with Sean…

Today!

• 📺 CHGO Bears - 12:00 on YouTube

• ⚾️ White Sox @ Guardians - 12:10 on CHSN

• 📺 CHGO White Sox POSTGAME on YouTube

• 📺 CHGO Blackhawks - 5:30 on YouTube

• 🥅 Blackhawks @ Bruins - 6:00 on ESPN+

• 📺 CHGO Blackhawks POSTGAME on YouTube

• 📺 CHGO Cubs Related - 8:00 on CHGO Cubs YT

Talk to you tomorrow!