Cubs ace Justin Steele exits '24 opener with leg injury

Chicago Cubs ace left-hander Justin Steele sustained a left leg injury while fielding a bunt in the fifth inning of Thursday's season opener against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

Steele immediately clutched at the back of his left leg after backhanding the ball to first baseman Michael Busch on a bunt by Leody Taveras.

Julian Merryweather came in to replace Steele, who exited after allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

Steele, 28, posted a 16-5 record with a 3.06 ERA last season to finish fifth in the balloting for the National League's Cy Young Award.