Chicago Cubs ace Justin Steele is in line to return from a hamstring injury on Monday

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CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs big man Justin Steele is all but ready to return to Chicago’s rotation after being sidelined since the season opener with a strained left hamstring.

Steele is on track to start Monday against San Diego, assuming he gets through another bullpen session without any problems, manager Craig Counsell said Friday. The southpaw was injured while attempting to bunt in Texas on the first opening day of his career.

“We’ve already missed him for a month and it will be good to get him back up and running,” Counsell said.

Steele threw 63 pitches for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. He allowed three runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings.

“I feel like I’m ready to go,” he said.

The Cubs are counting on more big things from Steele in his first All-Star season. The southpaw was 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 30 starts and finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting.

Steele got off to a good start against the defending World Series champion Rangers. He struck out six before fouling out and falling awkwardly while trying to field Leody Taveras’ sacrifice bunt in the fifth inning.

“I was super anxious about opening day, everything surrounding it, the first game of the year, the first opening day for me and then obviously getting hurt,” Steele said. “It was nice to get that under my belt. Now it’s like I have to do it again. I’m excited about it. I’m more excited to be back with the boys.”

Kyle Hendricks (lower back problems) will start for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Counsell said. The veteran righthander threw five solid innings for Double-A Tennessee on Thursday.

The Cubs finished second in the NL Central at 19-13 heading into their weekend series against the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB