Chicago Cubs: There is still a chance Michael Soroka can make a significant impact

As unfortunate as Soroka’s injury was, especially in terms of timing, there’s still a realistic chance he could make an impact before the season ends. If he returns around mid-September as expected, the Cubs would be getting a boost just as they begin a stretch of 10 games in 10 days, including key matchups against the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds. His return could provide valuable depth during a crucial point in the playoff push.

Soroka returning in a few weeks could allow manager Craig Counsell to navigate that tough stretch with a six man rotation, or by pushing Colin Rea out of the rotation, in which the veteran has been giving solid outings lately and recently just got his ERA under 4.00 for the season. Perhaps most importantly, Soroka would provide the Cubs with another key multi-inning option at a time when pitching flexibility is vital.

As the NL Central and Wild Card races take shape, the ability to navigate a demanding schedule with versatile arms becomes increasingly important. Soroka’s return would strengthen the Cubs’ depth, offer more options for managing workloads, and give them a valuable asset in positioning the staff for a strong push to the postseason, and potentially, a deep October run.