Gausman exits with shoulder soreness as Cubs monitor status

Chicago Cubs right-hander Kevin Gausman left Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Miami Marlins after awkwardly extending his left shoulder while diving to tag a runner at third base in the sixth inning. Manager Craig Counsell said Gausman was dealing with shoulder soreness, while Gausman described the shoulder as weak but said he hoped the issue would last only a few days; the injury affects his non-throwing arm. Gausman had thrown 101 pitches and recorded seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, so his workload may also have influenced the decision to remove him. The Cubs will monitor him before determining whether he can start in the wild-card series, adding uncertainty to a postseason rotation already affected by injuries. Chicago’s playoff berth remained unclinched after the loss, with one more win or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss needed to secure it.