Cubs' replacement for injured Michael Soroka will do little to calm fans' fears

Given Michael Soroka was the Chicago Cubs' only rotation addition at the trade deadline, the team is now forced to look inward at its minor league depth to fill his spot on the roster. Ahead of Tuesday's game against Cincinnati, Nate Pearson was seen heading into the clubhouse at Wrigley Field, all but confirming he'll be the next man up for manager Craig Counsell.

Pearson came over from Toronto via trade last July and seemed to figure some things out down the stretch with the Cubs, dramatically slashing his walk rate and working to a sub-1.00 WHIP and 2.73 ERA in 19 appearances. That success did not carry over to 2025, at least not at the big-league level, with the right-hander sporting a 12.66 ERA and walking more than 15 percent of the batters he's faced in nine appearances.

He's been far more effective at Triple-A Iowa, where he's spent the bulk of the year. Through 35 2/3 innings of work, Pearson carries a 2.27 ERA, but it's also worth noting he's still walking nearly five batters per nine, which could be a red flag given his lack of control derailed his once-promising ascent as a top pitching prospect.

Cubs hoping Nate Pearson can be a net positive for the pitching staff

Right now, it feels like this Cubs team is searching for answers on multiple fronts. The most glaring issue is the offense, which has performed like a mere shell of its former self with the team's heavy hitters simultaneously going into hibernation. The return of Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad can't come soon enough on the heels of the Soroka news because Pearson won't be the answer to the rotation problem.

Chicago has two more games against Cincinnati this week before a scheduled off-day Thursday that precedes a weekend series at Busch Stadium against the Cardinals. That off-day could be pivotal for the team as it looks to sort out the rotation and get things back on track after treading water for the last two months as the surging Brewers continue to pile up wins.

Hopefully, Pearson can join the new-look pen and recapture some of his effectiveness from last summer because this club desperately needs some good news right now.