DENVER — Michael Soroka’s Chicago Cubs career did not start how he wanted.

Despite the injury-shortened beginning, the right-hander is still planning to have a chance to show why the Cubs traded for him.

“I’m looking forward to changing some minds, and just getting out there and being a good decision for this organization,” Soroka said before Friday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. “I believe I can help this team in a number of different ways, and where they see me fit in is completely up to them. But wherever that is, I’m ready to go.”

Soroka estimated he threw 35 pitches during Friday’s bullpen session, his second since going on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. As long as he continues to feel well following the more high-intensity effort, Soroka is slated to throw live batting practice Tuesday at Wrigley Field. He will need to go on a rehab assignment before coming off the IL.

“It’s been feeling really good so I wanted to keep up with that and let a few rip and know that we’re ready to face some hitters,” said Soroka, acquired in a July 30 deal with the Washington Nationals. “Just take another step forward. … When I picked up a baseball, everything was feeling much better, much like it had prior to July, basically. So, we’ve just stay on top things and make sure we keep it right there.”

Soroka, 28, has been out since Aug. 4 when he sustained the injury, causing him to depart his Cubs debut after just two innings. Manager Craig Counsell expects Soroka to be built up to multi-inning usage before he’s activated. He was effective in a bullpen role with the White Sox last year when he posted a 2.75 ERA in 16 relief appearances, highlighted by 60 strikeouts in 36 innings.

“We’ve just got to start to build volume and game action in there,” Counsell said. “We’re going to probably go a little faster than we normally go here, try to get him pitching and get him to a multiple-inning scenario and go from there.”

The Cubs still have four weeks worth of regular-season games to get through, and with Jameson Taillon out for at least two weeks with a left groin strain, pitching depth matters. Putting together the innings puzzle is still important at this point of the season.

“Get healthy arms back that can help us, I think we’re still in that mode of trying to just do the best we can with that,” Counsell said. “You always, by nature, are kind of saying we’re maybe 10 days away from that, 12 to 15 days away from that, but then things happen in the interim.”

Reliever Ryan Brasier (right groin strain) also will likely throw live BP on Tuesday. Counsell anticipates Taillon throwing a touch-and-feel off a mound Saturday at Coors Field, then throw a heavier bullpen Monday or Tuesday in Chicago.

Miguel Amaya (left ankle sprain) is doing well and increasing activity, though his ankle is still swollen. While Counsell remains optimistic Amaya will return before the end of the season, “we’ve still got weeks to go here” before Amaya will be ready to come off the IL.