There was no way for the Chicago Cubs to predict that Justin Steele would be lost for the season due to an elbow injury, but Jed Hoyer's overly cautious offseason left their rotation more vulnerable than it had to be.

Chicago Cubs ace Justin Steele will undergo season-ending surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow, dealing a significant blow to the team’s rotation.

The NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs suffered a tough blow with ace lefty Justin Steele needing season-ending Tommy John surgery, the team announced Sunday.