Cubs move on from veteran Workman, bring back Steele
Before Thursday's series finale in Atlanta, the Cubs brought back left-handed pitcher Justin Steele and designated Brandon Workman for assignment.
Steele, 25, made his major-league debut earlier this season and didn't give up a run in three appearances. Workman, 32, was hoping to find his old form with the Cubs after a disappointing season in 2020. But he posted a 6.75 ERA in 10 appearances with the Cubs this season.
"I think when you have to make that type of move, I think it's just a situation where he's not in a place to perform the way he and we want him to perform and we need to make a move and get somebody up here that is pitching a little bit better and try to see what they can do," manager David Ross said.
Ross and Workman were teammates in Boston, where Workman pitched from 2013 to '20. He was traded to Philadelphia last August. In 2019, Workman went 10-1 with a 1.88 ERA with the Red Sox.
"That's the worst part of this job," Ross said. "It's a friend, a teammate, someone I have a ton of respect for. The way that he works and the effort he put in and gave us every time he came to work. Whether he was doing good or bad, he was the same guy and goes out there and competes to the best of his ability. Those conversations stink really hard."
Steele is likely targeted for the bullpen, but the Lucedale, Miss., native has been a starter throughout his minor league run with the Cubs. He was chosen in the fifth round of the 2014 draft.
• Shortstop Javy Baez was back in Thursday's starting lineup after missing three games with a hamstring issue. Otherwise, the Cubs lineup was similar to the day before, with Anthony Rizzo batting leadoff for the second day in a row.
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