The Chicago Cubs got dealt a devastating blow last week with the news that lefty Justin Steele would be lost for the rest of the 2025 season due to elbow surgery. Steele had established himself as the team's co-ace alongside Shota Imanaga, and was coming off seven brilliant, shutout innings against the Texas Rangers in his most recent start.

The Cubs do not have a way to immediately and seamlessly replace Steele, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017.

Now, after the news of Justin Steele missing the remainder of the campaign, the need for a starter becomes more prevalent than ever. Unfortunately, that could come at the expense of the Cubs missing out on an impact bat that they also need at the deadline, but pitching wins championships, and Hoyer seems to understand that.