ATLANTA — While other playoff contenders scramble to acquire relief pitching before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline, the Cubs are on track to add a reinforcement to their bullpen by as early as next week.
Right-hander Rafael Soriano, who signed a minor league deal with the Cubs in early June, was promoted to the Iowa Cubs from Double-A Tennessee and struck out the side in a scoreless inning Thursday against Memphis, St. Louis’ Triple-A affiliate. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Soriano’s fastball has touched 94 over his last few appearances — he pitched in back-to-back games July 12 and 13 — and he’s received “nothing but good reports” on the 34-year-old.