Soroka is on track to rejoin the Chicago Cubs after shoulder strain, flashing a 96.6 mph fastball in a Triple-A Iowa rehab appearance. Initial return could lean bullpen-ward as Chicago manages workload, with a longer runway if needed. Palencia is sidelined by a right shoulder strain, while Kyle Tucker battles calf issues. Suzuki is ill and Ballesteros replaced him as DH. Soroka arrived in a deadline deal with Washington, as the Cubs prep for a Tampa Bay series and gauge bullpen depth.

Carson Kelly powered the Cubs to a 3-2 win over Atlanta, his fourth September homer fueling a breakout season that already features a career-best 3.7 WAR and a personal best in hits and RBIs. Chicago’s bullpen preserved a narrow victory after Jameson Taillon’s 4 1/3 innings, with the relief corps covering 4 2/3 frames. With Kelly driving production, Chicago sits four games clear of San Diego for the NL’s first wild-card slot, a spot that could hinge on home-field advantage in the playoffs. Kyle Tucker’s calf strain for Houston looms as a nearby storyline, potentially affecting the Wild Card dynamics as September unfolds.

Tucker’s stint on the injured list creates a ripple effect across the league’s late-season path to October. Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed hopeful realism about Tucker’s return, underscoring the broader challenge of getting players fully asymptomatic before baseball activity. As Chicago eyes the NL Central title and a secure wild-card berth, Kelly’s continued power and the bullpen’s reliability will be pivotal in sustaining the run down the stretch.

The wild-card race remains tight, with the Cubs aiming to capitalize on power production from Kelly while navigating a bullpen heavy schedule. The Braves, who provided the night’s opposition, are part of the backdrop to a month that could define several rosters’ playoff fates. The Padres’ proximity adds urgency to every game, making Kelly’s bat and the Cubs’ depth especially valuable as the season nears its close.

The Cubs leaned on Turner against left-handers, turning a tie game into a 3-2 win with a go-ahead RBI double off Sale after fending off an 0-2 count. Taillon returned from the IL to give Chicago 4 1/3 innings, keeping the Braves at bay while the lineup leaned into baserunning and timely hits from Suzuki and Kelly. The surge in steals—six in the series and counting—combined with steady pitching gives Chicago a late-season spark as October approaches.

Kyle Tucker landed on the Cubs 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, retroactive to Sept. 2. He’s hitting .270 with an .854 OPS and 22 homers in his first Cubs season after seven years with Houston. Activation could come Sept. 16, a window that could reshape late-season lineups and fantasy projections.

Moisés Ballesteros was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to help cover outfield time. Tucker’s absence may nudge Cubs' daily rosters and DFS plans as Chicago fights for a playoff push, making Tucker’s return a welcome fantasy pivot.