Overview

• Manager Craig Counsell diagnosed Soroka with a low-to-mid-grade right shoulder strain and announced a seven- to ten-day shutdown before further testing.
• Soroka, acquired from the Nationals on July 31 as the Cubs’ sole starting-pitcher deadline addition, exited after two innings in his debut at Wrigley Field.
• President Jed Hoyer admitted the club knew Soroka’s velocity was trending downward and called the move “not looking like a good bet” as medical reports remain pending.
• With Jameson Taillon, Javier Assad and Matt Swarmer still rehabbing, Chicago faces pressure to summon reinforcements to shore up its depleted rotation.
• The setback highlights the risks of conservative late-July trades and has intensified scrutiny of the front office’s deadline strategy.