Cubs place Steele on IL with elbow tendinitis

The Chicago Cubs placed left-hander Justin Steele on the 15-day injured list with tendinitis in his pitching elbow, the club announced Wednesday.

Steele was scratched from his start on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to left elbow soreness. An MRI later revealed the 29-year-old was dealing with inflammation in his elbow.

Manager Craig Counsell isn't ready to rule Steele out for the season and said that he might only need a minimum stint on the IL.

"If we can get him back to normal, he’s gonna pitch," Counsell said, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune.

Steele has been the Cubs' best starting pitcher over the last two seasons. He owns a 5-5 record with a 3.09 ERA and 131 strikeouts across 128 innings this year.

Veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks made the start in place of Steele on Tuesday and could remain in the rotation with Steele sidelined.

In addition to losing Steele, the Cubs also placed reliever Jorge López on the IL with a right groin strain. Chicago recalled right-handers Trey Wingenter and Jack Neely from Triple-A Iowa as corresponding moves.