Cubs lefty Justin Steele exits 1st opening-day start with left hamstring strain

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele exited his first profession opening-day begin with a left hamstring pressure after taking place awkwardly whereas fielding a sacrifice bunt within the fifth inning in opposition to World Sequence champion Texas on Thursday night time.

Steele got here off the mound and lunged whereas reaching to choose up a ball. After tossing the ball to first base to get out Leody Taveras, Steele went right down to the bottom in foul territory, grabbing the again of his left leg above his knee.

After being visited by an athletic coach, Steele bought up on his personal and walked slowly towards the Cubs dugout. Julian Merryweather changed Steele and bought out of the inning to maintain the sport tied at 1.

“I used to be fielding the bunt or no matter and after I was leaning over backhanding the ball, type of felt one thing seize,” Steele stated. “Simply type of went down with it and didn’t need to do something to threat additional damage.”

Supervisor Craig Counsell stated Steele would have an MRI on Friday morning, and a stint on the injured record is probably going.

Steele struck out six and allowed three hits over 4 2/3 innings. He was 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 30 begins final season, when he was an All-Star and completed fifth within the NL Cy Younger Award voting.

“You’re pondering that it’s only a disgrace,” Counsell stated. “He’s pitching actually, rather well. Clearly, an essential member of the group. This is part of a baseball season. Accidents are going to occur, and also you’ve bought to rebound from ’em, get better from ’em.”

His first two strikeouts got here in opposition to Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, the primary two hitters within the Rangers lineup and the highest finishers in final season’s AL MVP voting behind unanimous winner Shohei Ohtani.

“It was good to get on the market and get the primary one beneath your belt, you realize opening day, all of the jitters,” Steele stated. “Get on the horse once more and have a speedy restoration from this and get proper again on the market.”

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