Michael Soroka made his Chicago Cubs debut Monday against the Cincinnati Reds and the good vibes lasted for all of one inning. The right-handed pitcher only lasted two innings before he was replaced by Ben Brown to start the third. Soroka, who is celebrating his 28th birthday today, was seen in the Cubs’ dugout talking to pitching Tommy Hottovy, manager Craig Counsell and maybe most importantly for this update, head athletic trainer Nick Frangella.
Soroka walked into the clubhouse after finishing the second inning and as the Cubs were batting in the bottom half of the inning, Ben Brown began to warm up in the bullpen. Then, Brown took over in the third.
Soroka was the only starting pitcher Jed Hoyer added at the trade deadline and while most fans hated that the team was not ultra aggressive in negotiations for other starters, there was a one big red flag with Soroka as well.
The pitcher’s fastball velocity had declined a few miles per hour during his last three starts and that was the case once again Monday night against the Reds. Soroka only averaged 90.8mph with his fastball in two innings and in the second his last two fastballs were clocked under 90mph.
Not good, Jed!
UPDATE
Via Bleacher Nation.
Official word from the broadcast booth is that Mike Soroka exited the game with right shoulder discomfort. That is extremely concerning, and exactly what a lot of people feared when the Cubs acquired exactly ONE (1) starter at the deadline … a guy with a significant injury history, including previous shoulder issues, and a sharp decline in velocity in the three starts prior to the trade.
What a fucking nightmare.
We’ll always have that first inning.
