9:34PM: Atlanta manager Brian Snitker confirmed to reporters that Soroka will indeed start Monday’s game. The Braves are optioning Rodriguez to Triple-A to create space for Soroka on the active roster.
1:23PM: Michael Soroka hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since August, 2020, but an almost three year wait to return looks set to be over Monday with a series of transactions suggesting he’ll be called up to start tomorrow against the Athletics.
The Braves scratched Soroka from his start at Triple-A today, and as MLB.com’s Mark Bowman draws attention to, the Braves decision to option Dylan Dodd and replace him with Dereck Rodriguez adds further weight to the idea that Soroka will be the one called upon. And if any further evidence was needed, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos was on SirusXM radio today and said Soroka is the “next guy up the next time we need a starter,” before adding that the next time is “tomorrow.”
Soroka, the 28th pick back in 2015, was a quality young starter for the Braves before injuries derailed things. Between 2018-20, he made 37 starts of 2.86 ERA ball, the bulk of which came during the 2019 season when he finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting.
Since the 2020 season, it’s been a wretched run for Soroka. A ruptured achilles tendon set him up for a year long recovery, and just as he was nearing a return to action that achilles blew out again and left Soroka facing another lengthy rehab process. After recovering from that he saw some time at Triple-A towards the back end of the 2022 season but never made it to the big leagues, as he was shut down with shoulder fatigue. He entered spring training competing for a spot in Atlanta’s rotation but a hamstring strain put him behind and he was optioned to the minor leagues to start the season.
He’s made eight starts at Triple-A this season, working to a 4.33 ERA and averaging about 4 1/3 innings per start. It’ll certainly be a much anticipated return to a big league mound for Soroka when he does pitch tomorrow.
Good expected news. Hope he gets back to where he left. Go Mike
3/4 of what soroka was when he went down would be a great addition to the rotation hopefully he can put it all together
It’s the game to watch. I’m not sure if anyone has come back from two Achilles .
Jake Burger of the White Sox has come back from two Achilles tears.
The difference is that Burger, I believe, tore each of his Achilles once. Soroka tore the same one twice.
yeah several football players will tear the other Achilles after the 1st one and come back….but I wouldn’t imagine many athletes tearing the same Achilles back to back
It would have been wonderful for Soroka to make his return at home, so he could be properly greeted by 40,000 fans, but this way will be more lower key (2000 fans?) and easier on him. It will be emotional either way, and I will be watching.
2000 fans against a team that is at best a Triple A team, it’s a great way to start the MLB season after a long absence.
Most likely a one time return once they see him destroyed by the powerful Oakland Athletics
So excited to see him; I will be at the game tomorrow. Thinks it’s a smart decision the athletics are a weak team bring him up where he could have success and even if not 100% sharp the Braves offense should be able to beat the athletics pitching staff.
If he could be 75-80% of what he was before be such a big boost for Atlanta
Feels like forever since we last saw Soroka on the mound for the Braves. Big addition if he can stay healthy
one last rehab start before he faces major league batters
Soroka has the longest neck in baseball. Godspeed, young man!
That’s why he was a high giraffe pick in 2015.
Which leg was it? Worried about the planting foot
It’s the perfect team for Soroka to comeback against.
I haven’t thrown a pitch since my sophomore year in college. But even at my advanced age I think I could beat the A’s.
Probably not gonna get pushed beyond 70-75 pitches or four or five innings. Wish him well. The rehab routine for a torn Achilles tendon is arduous. Must have had many a day when he probably wanted to throw in the towel. But he persevered, and here he’ll be back on an MLB mound today. Been so long,since he’s been on that mound, maybe Murph will have to show him where it is.
Bona fortuna.
No. They would shell you for 9 runs on 7 hits in 1.1 IP
2.1 IP 8 H 7 R 7 ER 2 BB 2 K
That looks like Blackburns stats in his 7 AAA starts this year