Jed Hoyer Owns Up to Risky Call on Michael Soroka as Cubs Struggle Continue
Just a day after Michael Soroka exited his Cubs debut early due to injury, team president Jed Hoyer is taking full responsibility for the decision to bring him in at the trade deadline.
“You make bets on players,” Hoyer said. “Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. We did our homework, we believed in the move but if it fails, that’s on me.”
Soroka was pulled after just two innings of one-run ball due to shoulder pain. He had reached back for a bit of extra velocity in the previous frame and felt discomfort. The diagnosis: a low- to mid-grade shoulder strain. He’s expected to be shut down for about a week before further evaluation.
Despite the injury not being too severe, the Cubs' momentum took another hit on the field, falling 5-1 to the Reds — their second straight loss. Starter Shota Imanaga pitched brilliantly into the seventh, but reliever Andrew Kittredge had a rare off night, giving up four runs and recording just one out.
Offense Remains the Bigger Issue
The Cubs' offense continues to falter. After collecting just three hits the night before, they managed only four this time around. The first inning summed it all up: runners on first and second with no outs followed by three straight strikeouts.
Despite boasting one of the better offensive units earlier in the season, the team’s top hitters are in a slump. Manager Craig Counsell believes the bats will wake up eventually.
“You’ve got to square balls up, create traffic, and score in different ways,” Counsell said. “Right now, we’re not doing it. We’ve got some guys who aren’t in great places at the plate but we’ll get them back.”
Spotlight on Hoyer’s Deadline Decision
All of this has ramped up scrutiny on Hoyer, especially after the team failed to land a big-name starting pitcher at the deadline. While top arms weren’t exactly available, Soroka’s injury given his history has made the gamble look riskier in hindsight.
The 26-year-old has dealt with multiple injuries over the years, including shoulder problems as recently as last summer. His velocity was trending downward before the trade, something Hoyer acknowledged the front office was aware of.
“We knew the velocity dip was something to monitor,” Hoyer said. “We spent a lot of time on his medicals, and we knew the risk. But based on the market and what we were seeing, we felt he was worth taking a chance on.”
The upside was there Soroka had a 25.4% strikeout rate and a solid 7% walk rate, numbers that would’ve put him among Chicago’s best. With a far stronger defense behind him than in Washington, the Cubs saw potential in a change of scenery.
But the risk may not pay off.
Pitching Plan Going Forward
Ben Brown, who pitched four innings in relief after Soroka’s early exit, could slide into the rotation. Javier Assad is nearing a return after a rehab outing, while Jameson Taillon is expected to make another rehab start soon. With off days approaching, the Cubs have some flexibility to figure out the fifth-starter role.
Still, none of this matters if the bats don’t come back to life.
Chasing the Brewers
Chicago sits at 65-48, tied for the third-best record in the National League but the problem is the division. The Brewers continue to defy expectations, extending their lead to four games in the NL Central. The Cubs are now feeling the pressure.
There’s still belief that the offense will find its rhythm. The real question is whether that will happen in time or if this midseason skid becomes the story of a promising year gone sideways.