After missing the past month with a strained oblique muscle Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler is off the disabled list and back on the active roster. He’s not starting today’s game against the Pirates, but is available as a bench player.
Soler was having a disappointing season at the time of the injury, although that has a lot to do with being compared to his great minor-league numbers and excellent 24-game Cubs debut last season. His actual production this year--.265 batting average, seven homers, .710 OPS in 90 games--was certainly mediocre, but not bad for a 23-year-old rookie.
Of late the Cubs have used Kyle Schwarber and Chris Coghlan as the corner outfielders alongside center fielder Dexter Fowler, so Soler may be returning to a part-time role. Chicago has a ton of position player depth and flexibility right now.