Atlanta Braves fans pleased as pitcher Mike Soroka returns to the mound for first time since 2020: "Comeback player of the year"
Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka made his return to the mound for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years on Wednesday, hurling against the Detroit Tigers in his Spring Training debut.
Soroka tore his right Achilles tendon in just his third start of the 2020 season, and then suffered the same injury while simply walking in the Braves' clubhouse in 2021.
Mike Soroka is on the mound!
The 25-year-old former All Star is working towards returning to big league action for the first time since August 3, 2020 https://t.co/9zVXiskf1T
Injuries have been a constant problem for Mike Soroka throughout his career. He was also shut down while pitching in the minors last season after experiencing a sore right elbow. His spring debut was delayed for weeks by a right hamstring strain.
However, he made it through 36 pitches injury-free in a 5-3 win over the Tigers.
@TalkinBaseball_ Comeback Player of the year
@TalkinBaseball_ I think people forget he was the ace before he got hurt
@TalkinBaseball_ People forget how good he was man
A bulked-up Soroka had hopes of fighting for the fifth spot in the Braves' rotation this spring, before a hamstring strain put him behind in the competition. Currently, non-roster invitee Jared Shuster holds the inside track on the No. 5 spot heading into Opening Day, according to Fangraphs.
@TalkinBaseball_ Put on some muscle
@TalkinBaseball_ damn he looks completely different
@TalkinBaseball_ Holy shit he’s huge
Soroka last pitched a full season in 2019, when he went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 29 starts. He placed second in the National League Rookie of the Year balloting and was sixth in the NL Cy Young Award vote. In 37 starts over three seasons, Soroka is 15-6 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.
@TalkinBaseball_ if he can be even half decent for us it’ll be huge this year
@TalkinBaseball_ I hope it works out this time. Man it's been too long
It's never too late for fans to begin thinking about the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and Team Canada fans are already picturing a storybook tournament for their squad in three years. Mike Soroka is a native of Calgary in the Canadian province of Alberta.
@TalkinBaseball_ Chills when he leads Canada to victory in the 2026 WBC
@TalkinBaseball_ Canada could’ve used him. 2026 going to be a movie
Mike Soroka still shaking off the rust, but hopeful of contributing to Braves this season
It's been a long road back for Mike Soroka, and he still has ways to go. He told MLB.com that he was happy to be back pitching for the Braves, and hopes to be a part of the team in 2023:
"There are some things I need to work on still. It was nice to get out there and compete again and be considered part of the mix. That's a good start. There's a fine line between celebrating and being proud of yourself and all the work that you've put in. I don't think this is quite a celebratory thing yet, but that'll come."