WATCH: Justin Steele on training, trust, and Cubs' playoff mindset |
Tony Crumpton
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- 3 hours ago
Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele addressed the media after his first spring outing.
Steele pitched two innings on Saturday in the 7-3 win against the White Sox, giving up two hits and striking out five batters. A reporter asked him about his past injuries early in the season. “It’s definitely not necessarily the finest of lines, but there is a fine line there,” Steele said. “You don’t want to push too hard and end up injuring yourself, even if you’re just training and working out in the offseason.” Watch the postgame interview below: Video summary/cliff-notes: (00:00) Justin Steele felt strong and confident in his first outing, with good location on his four-seam fastball and sliders. He plans to incorporate his sinker and changeup more in future appearances. (00:30) Manager Craig Counsell trusts Steele’s consistency and expects him to deliver 30+ starts this season, with a goal of surpassing 180 innings. (00:59) Steele balances maintaining his established skill set while improving, ensuring he doesn’t push too hard in training to avoid injury. (01:25) He worked closely with the Cubs’ strength and training staff during the offseason to optimize his physical condition for spring training. (01:54) While pitchers aim for 180 innings based on quality starts, Steele acknowledges that hitting 200 innings is still a goal if performance allows. (02:21) Training in Arizona with direct access to the Cubs’ staff has helped Steele maintain a consistent and effective routine. (03:13) He has built a strong relationship with new addition Mat Avid, praising his baseball intelligence and contributions to the team. (03:39) Steele notices the team’s veteran presence after offseason acquisitions, particularly with Justin Turner adding valuable experience. (04:05) He acknowledges the expectation of making the playoffs but isn’t ready to consider himself a veteran just yet.
