Cubs Acquire Cosgrove, Address Pitching Depth Amid Steele Injury

The Chicago Cubs are grappling with a significant pitching crisis after ace Justin Steele was placed on the 15-day injured list due to elbow tendonitis. This setback comes after Steele's impressive outing where he pitched seven shutout innings, raising concerns about the team's rotation depth. In response, the Cubs acquired left-handed reliever Tom Cosgrove from the San Diego Padres, hoping a change of scenery will revive his past performance, as they also designated Caleb Kilian for assignment. With both Steele and Javier Assad on the injured list, the Cubs are facing a dire need for reliable pitching, prompting speculation about potential trades for established starters like Nick Martinez and Cal Quantrill. As the Cubs aim to maintain their competitive edge, they must act swiftly to address their pitching shortages, particularly with the MLB trade deadline approaching. Manager Craig Counsell indicated that bullpen games may become necessary as the team navigates this challenging period.