UPDATE: Chicago Cubs starter Michael Soroka will be placed on the injured list after experiencing right shoulder discomfort during his debut game against the Cincinnati Reds on July 31, 2023. The Cubs announced this development following their 3-2 loss to the Reds.
Soroka, who turned 28 on the same day, reported feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder after delivering a pitch in the second inning. He did not return for the third inning. “I went to go put a little extra on a fastball and it grabbed me a little bit,” Soroka explained. “And it didn’t go away.”
This injury marks a setback for Soroka, recently acquired from the Washington Nationals in exchange for prospects Ronny Cruz and Christian Franklin. The right-handed pitcher had been struggling with a decline in velocity but claimed he felt fine prior to the game. “There was no reason to believe there was anything wrong,” he stated.
In his brief outing, Soroka impressed initially, striking out two batters in the first inning with a sharp slurve. However, his performance declined in the second, culminating in a home run allowed to Tyler Stephenson before he exited the game. “It’s never fun. I’m embarrassed. You come to this organization and hope to hit the ground running, and two innings later, we’re having to pull the plug,” Soroka lamented.
The Cubs are facing a pressing need for fresh arms in their rotation. Soroka was their only addition before the MLB trade deadline, and with Jameson Taillon (calf) and Javier Assad (oblique) recovering, the team finds itself thin on starting options. Ben Brown stepped in for Soroka during the game but has struggled as a reliable option.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed concern over Soroka’s condition, stating, “We didn’t have any signs of it. His velocity has gone backwards. He was optimistic in the first couple of days here that we could help him there and things could get better. This is unfortunate.”
Before his trade, Soroka had a record of 3-8 with a 4.87 ERA for the Nationals, and the Cubs were hoping to revitalize his career. The team now faces uncertainty as they navigate the challenges of a depleted starting rotation.
As the situation develops, fans will be watching closely for updates on Soroka’s condition and potential replacements in the Cubs’ rotation. Stay tuned for more breaking news on this urgent story.
