Cubs’ Michael Soroka seeing improvement in 1 key area during throwing session

As reported by Taylor McGregor, Cubs sideline reporter, Soroka faced live hitters on Tuesday, September 2 for the first time during the rehab process. He threw 34 pitches in total and saw and increase in his velocity to the mid 90s. McGregor also reported that his velocity had dipped in the weeks prior to sustaining the shoulder injury.

Reviewing McGregor’s report on the velocity decrease, during Soroka’s last outing as a National, on July 29, his fastball averaged 91.1 MPH and maxed out at 92.8. His season average this year is 93.5 MPH. This further supports the claim that his velocity was decreasing leading up to the injury.

The Chicago Cubs should start Michael Soroka on a rehab assignment next

Previously, the Cubs had announced that the plan for Soroka was to throw the bullpen on September 2 and then begin a minor league rehab assignment. No official announcement has been made yet, but if this is still the case he would likely make an appearance over the weekend.

It’s unclear at this time how many outings in the minor leagues Soroka would need before being ready to return to the Cubs. It’s clear that Chicago wants him to come back with the ability to throw multiple innings, but with weeks left in the regular season he may not be fully built back up before returning.