Cubs' Justin Steele: Could return from IL soon

Steele (elbow) told reporters after his bullpen session Saturday that he expects to be activated off the 15-day injured list during the Cubs' upcoming homestand, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Steele landed on the 15-day injured list Sept. 4 due to left elbow tendinitis. He threw a couple of bullpen sessions after some rest, and the 29-year-old southpaw appears to be nearing a return without the need for a rehab assignment. The earliest Steele can be activated off the IL is Sept. 18, which would be the series finale against the Athletics, though the Cubs could wait until the following series against the Nationals to activate Steele. He has a 5-5 record over 22 starts this season with a 3.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 131:34 K:BB across 128 innings.