I’m hoping this is not anything serious. Well, obviously, but the context gives you some reason to have that hope.
After laboring through a 30+ pitch 4th inning (not his fault, and he looked great in innings one through three), Justin Steele came out to warm up for the 5th inning, but then David Ross and the trainer came out, and Steele was pulled. They were looking at his left hand, so you could maybe hope it’s just a blister situation? Especially with the lineup turning over again, and Steele approaching 70 pitches?
More as soon as it’s available. You’ll recall that Steele had to fill in tonight for Marcus Stroman, who went on the IL just before the game (presumably the COVID IL, though not confirmed). Steele was otherwise going to be starting tomorrow night.
UPDATE: Well this isn’t the phrasing I was hoping for:
Justin Steele exited with left thumb soreness
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) May 9, 2022
I presume we’ll get more explanation later, but for now, you start wondering whether this is going to require further testing. Hate to even think about it given how decimated the pitching has already been, and how important seasons like this are for the development of guys like Steele.