UPDATE: Chicago Cubs starter Michael Soroka is heading to the injured list after experiencing right shoulder discomfort during his debut game against the Cincinnati Reds, the team confirmed following their 3-2 loss on Monday, August 14, 2023.
Soroka, who just turned 28 years old on the same day, felt a troubling sensation in his shoulder after delivering a pitch in the second inning. He did not return for the third inning. “Went to go put a little extra on a fastball and it grabbed me a little bit,” Soroka commented after the game. “And it didn’t go away.”
This injury is a significant blow to the Cubs, who acquired Soroka from the Washington Nationals last week in exchange for prospects Ronny Cruz and Christian Franklin. The team had high hopes for the pitcher, who has struggled with velocity but was optimistic about his performance. “There was no reason to believe there was anything wrong,” Soroka stated before his start.
During his brief outing, Soroka struck out two batters in the first inning, showcasing a powerful slurve. However, his velocity dropped in the second inning, leading to a home run by Tyler Stephenson. “You’re always concerned when you have to come out of the game,” Soroka expressed, admitting he felt embarrassed. “You come to this org and hope to hit the ground running and two innings later, we’re having to pull the plug.”
With Soroka’s injury, the Cubs are now in urgent need of reinforcements in their starting rotation. Right-handers Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad are recovering from injuries but have yet to return. Soroka’s absence leaves the team short-handed, especially after his addition was their only move before the MLB trade deadline.
Manager Craig Counsell commented on the situation, stating, “We didn’t have any signs of it. His velocity has gone backwards. He was optimistic in the first couple days here that we could help him there and things could get better. This is unfortunate.”
Soroka’s pre-trade record was 3-8 with a 4.87 ERA, and he had recently undergone an MRI which returned clean prior to his trade. Fans and teammates alike are left anxious as the team navigates this unexpected setback.
As the Cubs look ahead, all eyes will be on how they plan to fill the gap left by Soroka. The situation remains fluid, and updates are expected as the team evaluates their options moving forward. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this urgent injury report.
