Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Monday's 3-2 loss that Soroka (shoulder) is expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The club is presumably still in the process of running more tests on Soroka's shoulder, but the right-hander's injury is considered significant enough that he'll need to be shelved for at least two weeks. Acquired from the Nationals ahead of the trade deadline, Soroka lasted just two innings in his Cubs debut, striking out three while giving up one earned run on one hit and one walk before exiting with shoulder discomfort. Ben Brown tossed four innings of one-run ball in long relief and is likely the leading candidate to replace Soroka in the rotation.

Brown allowed one run on two hits across four innings of relief in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds. He struck out five.

The newly acquired Michael Soroka made the start for the Cubs, but he only lasted two innings in his team debut before departing due to right shoulder discomfort. Brown was then thrust into action, and the young righty responded with one of his best performances over the past few months. Soroka had seemingly pushed Brown out of the rotation upon his arrival in Chicago, but it remains to be seen if the former has to miss any extended time. If he does, Brown and his 6.04 ERA could be back in a starting role at least temporarily, though the Cubs do also have Jameson Taillon (calf) likely returning from the injured list in the near future.

Manaea didn't factor into the decision Monday against Cleveland, allowing five runs on seven hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Manaea was cruising along through five shutout frames but came apart in the sixth inning, when Cleveland brought in five runs. The veteran southpaw set a season high in both runs and hits allowed, though it was at least somewhat encouraging to see him pitch a season-high 5.2 innings in his fifth start of the year. Manaea's season ERA soared from 2.08 to 3.52 on Monday, and he now holds a 0.96 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB over 23 innings. His next outing is slated for this weekend against the Brewers, who boast a .799 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the start of July.

Fedde (3-12) took the loss Monday against Milwaukee, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Monday marked the third time in his last six starts that Fedde was unable to register a punchout. The veteran right-hander has thrown at least five innings on just two occasions over his last seven outings, during which he owns a ghastly 10.73 ERA, 2.02 WHIP and 11:15 K:BB across 27.2 frames. Things may not get much easier for Fedde with a matchup at home versus the red-hot Marlins on tap for this weekend.

Priester (11-2) notched the win Monday against Atlanta, allowing one run on two hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out four.

Priester continues to impress with the Brewers, having now fired at least six innings while yielding two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. The right-hander appears to have established a fairly strong grip on a starting role in Milwaukee's rotation, as he's posted a 2.40 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 61:15 K:BB over his last 63.2 innings since the beginning of June. That said, a difficult assignment awaits Priester this weekend at home versus a dangerous Mets lineup.

Oviedo conceded two runs on two hits and three walks over one inning while not factoring into the decision in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the Giants. He struck out three.

The Pittsburgh right-hander was understandably rusty, as he pitched for the first time since Sept. 27, 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in December 2023. Oviedo struggled to find the zone in this short outing, firing 43 total pitches while tallying only 23 strikes. The 27-year-old's velocity was diminished in this appearance, as he averaged 94.8 mph on his fastball, down from 95.8 mph previously in 2023. Oviedo is not a viable fantasy starting pitcher while he continues to reacclimate himself to the big leagues. He is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Reds at home this weekend.

Luzardo (10-5) earned the win against the Orioles on Monday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks with seven strikeouts.

Luzardo allowed three runs on a pair of early homers but bounced back with four perfect frames to match his career high with 10 wins. The southpaw delivered his second straight quality start, generating 15 whiffs on 91 pitches and issuing no walks for the first time since June 11. He'll carry a 4.32 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 147:44 K:BB across 127 innings into a road matchup with the Rangers this weekend.

Verlander did not factor into the decision in Monday's 5-4 loss at Pittsburgh. He allowed three hits and one walk over five innings (no earned runs and one unearned one) with four strikeouts.

The 42-year-old looked sharp for his third consecutive outing, as he notched his second scoreless appearance out of 19 total starts this season. Across his last three games, Verlander has pitched to a stingy 0.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB in 15 innings. Through 94.1 total frames, the future Hall of Famer now sports a 4.29 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 81:35 K:BB. Verlander is currently slated to make his next start at home against Washington this weekend, when he'll aim to become the 10th pitcher all-time to reach the 3,500 career strikeout plateau, as he presently sits at 3,497.

Alcantara (6-10) suffered the loss Monday versus Houston, allowing six runs on nine hits and one walk over seven innings. He struck out five.

The Miami right-hander was cruising through the first three frames of this 100-pitch outing, firing three clean innings. Then the floodgates opened in the fourth, as Alcantara conceded five runs on six hits, including three doubles. This marks the sixth time this season the former Cy Young Award winner has allowed six or more runs out of 22 total starts. Alcantara will carry a 6.44 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 86:43 K:BB across 116 total innings into his next start, currently scheduled to come at Atlanta this weekend.

Soroka was removed after two innings in his start Monday against Cincinnati due to right shoulder discomfort, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Soroka can be considered day-to-day until the team has a chance to re-evaluate the right-hander over the next few days. Ben Brown, who took over for Soroka on Monday, would be a candidate to take Soroka's place in the rotation if he's unable to make his next start. Soroka struck out three and allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk over two frames in his Cubs debut.