Cubs' Justin Steele throws to hitters for first time since elbow surgery: 'Very productive day'

MESA, Ariz. — When Cubs left-hander Justin Steele took the Sloan Park mound for his first live batting practice session since undergoing elbow surgery last April, he had an audience.

Fellow pitchers Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, Jordan Wicks and Gavin Hollowell sat in the stands behind the plate. Steele’s wife Libby and son Beau looked on from a little ways up the first base side. First baseman Michael Busch, who faced Steele in the session, congratulated him on the milestone.

“I’ve worked...