TORONTO — Michael Soroka went through a weighted ball workout Wednesday — a precursor to the beginning of his throwing program. He’s scheduled to start playing light catch Thursday, 10 days after he left his Cubs pitching debut with a strained right shoulder.
“It’s feeling really good,” Soroka said. “We’re doing good things to make it progress. Just got to keep on that track and we’ll be back.”
The Cubs aren’t expected to rush his return, even with less than seven weeks left in the regular season. But they also likely won’t need to build him back up to a full starter’s workload. Javier Assad (strained left oblique) returned from the 60-day injured list to start against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, and fellow right-hander Jameson Taillon (strained right calf) is penciled in for the series against the Brewers next week.
Soroka’s experience both starting and relieving was part of the Cubs’ attraction to him at the trade deadline. He still could throw important innings out of the bullpen down the stretch and in the playoffs.
“It’s about pushing things when they feel good,” Soroka said. “We talked about that with the staff, and how we’re going to be able to handle this, and what’s a safe way to do it while also ensuring that when we’re back, I’m the guy that they traded for. I think everybody would rather we take a day or two extra and make sure that everything is in a good place, so that when we are back, they get to see that guy.”
The Cubs’ interest in “that guy” predates the trade deadline. They were in contact with Soroka during the offseason before he signed with the Nationals.
“We were not exactly complete strangers when I came in,” Soroka said. “And it’s really fun to be able to see that and walk into an organization that’s identified you as somebody that can have a lot of success to help the team. And hopefully we’re well on our way to doing that.”
Even before his injury, Soroka was working through a drop in velocity. He said pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and special assistant Tyler Zombro have presented him with some mechanical adjustments that could address that issue while also protecting his shoulder. They’re essentially trying to replicate his delivery from his start against the Dodgers in late June, when his average fastball velocity peaked at 94.9 mph — the highest of his career.
“And probably the best my stuff’s been in my life,” Soroka said.
Taillon clears final rehab hurdle
Taillon threw 5⅓ innings in his final rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. He gave up just two hits and built up to 84 pitches.
“It was a good outing for him,” Counsell said. “He’s ready to go.”
Taillon’s return from the IL comes right when the Cubs need starting-pitching depth the most. They have five games against the Brewers in four days next week — a pivotal series for the division race.
