The Chicago Cubs are still pushing for a hopeful takeover of the NL Central from the Milwaukee Brewers. The odds are slim, considering they are five games behind and have only 12 games remaining in the regular season.
If a division title is too far to reach, the Cubs won’t stress, though. They have a nine-game lead in the NL Wild Card and are just a few games away from clinching a playoff berth.
As they look to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates to begin the week, the Cubs got back one of their top-paid pitchers.
Cubs announce return of Michael Soroka from IL
Chicago has been getting dealt a lot of unfortunate injury news in recent weeks. Although they are still waiting for the return of All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker (calf strain), they were able to get back a key pitcher in the starting rotation.
According to the Cubs’ X account, the team has reinstated starting pitcher Michael Soroka from the 15-day injured list. Chicago optioned starter Ben Brown as well.
MORE: Cubs announce injury designation for rookie outfielder
Soroka, 28, signed with the Washington Nationals this past offseason on a one-year, $9 million contract. He was then traded to the Cubs before the trade deadline in July. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder strain in his first game with his new team and was placed on the 15-day injured list.
He returned to the major leagues on Monday, and it appears that Chicago will be implementing Soroka into a bullpen role. He returned in their series opener against the Pirates, giving up zero hits, zero earned runs, two walks, and striking out two in two innings.
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