Justin Steele is working toward a relief role as his rehabilitation assignment reaches the final weeks of the season. The left-hander told the Des Moines Register that there was no longer enough time to build up as a starter, according to the newspaper's report carried by AOL.
His September 10 outing for Triple-A Iowa lasted two innings and 31 pitches. Steele allowed two runs on four hits, struck out three and generated six swings and misses. He said his command felt good but that he wanted more velocity; he topped out at 90 mph in that appearance.
Steele's comeback has already required an adjustment after a forearm flexor strain interrupted his recovery from elbow surgery. Shorter outings offer a route back before the season ends, but his own assessment makes clear that the next step depends on more than completing a set number of pitches.
Shelby Miller is also getting rehab work with Iowa. The club's official video posted September 11 shows a scoreless inning from the veteran right-hander.
Both pitchers would give Chicago additional choices if activated. For now, their rehab appearances are separate decisions about readiness, workload and recovery between outings.
