The Chicago Cubs undertook a notable move by acquiring starting pitcher Mike Soroka ahead of the recent trade deadline. However, this decision has become increasingly uncertain following Soroka's early performance with the team.

In his debut start for the Cubs, Soroka exited after just two innings due to reported shoulder discomfort and has since been placed on the injured list. Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' president of baseball operations, acknowledged the trade's questionable outlook during a recent interview, stating, 'We knew the velocity was trending down.' He emphasized that this decline in velocity had been thoroughly discussed before the trade was made.

Soroka's recent performances with the Washington Nationals had already indicated a potential issue, as his velocity had begun to drop. Although an MRI yielded no significant injuries, Soroka's season statistics stand at a 3-8 record with a 4.86 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 17 starts. The duration of his absence from the rotation remains uncertain, posing potential challenges for the Cubs as they aim for a successful postseason campaign.