Cubs Recall Nate Pearson, Place Michael Soroka on IL
Michael Soroka, the Cubs’ big addition at the trade deadline, is already out of the rotation. The right-hander, acquired last week in a trade with the Nationals, is headed to the injured list with a shoulder injury. His velocity had been down recently, but the Cubs initially decided it wasn’t a major concern. Given what the Cubs gave up in the trade, there’s a chance his diminished velocity lowered the asking price as well.
Shown above are Soroka’s velocity and spin rates during his 31-pitch outing on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. It’s clear that something was off, which the team quickly addressed as right shoulder discomfort. Soroka said he underwent an MRI with the Nationals before the trade, and the results didn’t show any clear issues. Either something new has developed, or the MRI didn’t tell the full story.
In a corresponding move, Nate Pearson is back in Chicago.
Fyi Cub fans:
Nate Pearson just arrived at Wrigley. @crawlyscubs @BleacherNation @bleedcubbieblue @leilarahimi pic.twitter.com/xcNi0eGmSP— Sam Bernero (@sambernero) August 5, 2025
Pearson has struggled in the big leagues with the Cubs, posting a less-than-ideal 12.66 ERA in nine games with the team this season. In Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs, however, the righty has been excellent. His WHIP of 1.18 tells a different story, one that the Cubs hope they can unlock on the major league level.
While prices were extraordinarily high at this deadline, overpaying for another arm may have been in the Cubs’ best interest, as they once again have the same rotation as they did one week ago. Time will tell, but they need Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad to dominate upon their respective returns.
