2025 Injury Report: Updates on Fitts, Springer, Steele

The big news on the injury front came in Chicago on April 13. The Cubs lost co-ace Justin Steele for the remainder of the 2025 season, as he’ll need surgery to replace his ailing elbow.

Steele done for 2025

The Cubs confirmed on April 13 that Justin Steele is done for the year. The left-hander, who was getting a second opinion on the elbow, will need season-ending elbow surgery to repair his flexor tendon and address the UCL.

It’s not yet known whether he’ll need Tommy John surgery or undergo an internal brace. The latter has a shorter recovery time but would still keep him out for roughly a calendar year.

Springer injured again

A little over a week after George Springer got dinged up in Queens, the Blue Jays outfielder left Toronto’s game on April 13 with a wrist injury. Springer left with what the team described as left wrist discomfort. Will Wagner pinch-hit for him in the seventh inning.

After the game, manager John Schneider said X-rays on the wrist came back negative. He remains day-to-day.

Other injury news

Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman had a cortisone shot in his knee. Stroman was placed on the injured list on April 12.

Mariners reliever Matt Brash missed all of 2024 thanks to elbow problems. Brash is on a rehab assignment, and the righty pitched with Tacoma (AAA) for his first 2025 outing. The 26-year-old struck out over one inning (19 pitches). Brash hit as high as 97 MPH in the outing.

In other Mariners-related news, Ryan Bliss was shifted from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL. Bliss is expected to miss four to five months thanks to biceps surgery, which was confirmed by the team this week.

The Red Sox placed Richard Fitts on the injured list with a right pectoral strain. Michael Fulmer, who’s been pitching as a starter/piggybacker in Worcester (AAA), was promoted to take Fitts’ spot.

Colorado placed Tyler Freeman on the injured list with a left oblique strain, retroactive to April 10, 2025.

Royals reliever Sam Long was added to the IL with left elbow inflammation.