Though when Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto was first placed on the disabled list late last week, the word was not good: out one month, minimum.
But Soto, currently rehabbing in Arizona, is hoping he can be back much sooner.
“We’re going to attack [the injury] quickly and see where we’re at,” Soto said earlier this week. “The MRI said it was mild to moderate. Hopefully we’re looking at something like 15 to 20 days, and I’ll be back with the team as soon as possible.”
An early return would be an incredibly welcome surprise, given that the Cubs seem opposed to finding a back-up catcher to Koyie Hill from within – be it AAA catchers Steve Clevenger or Chris Robinson, or that Jake Fox guy. The risk in acquiring a back-up now is getting bent over by a team who knows the Cubs don’t want to go with one of the aforementioned three.
The real kick in the crotch is that Soto was hitting so well before he went down, and an oblique strain is not going to be an easy thing to overcome at the plate.