Mike Soroka is okay — What’s next for the Atlanta Braves hurler?

Atlanta Braves fans erupted in speculation when an errant pitch from Washington Nationals rookie Austin Voth strayed up and in, hitting Mike  Soroka on his pitching arm, on the forearm area just above his prized elbow.

When playing a divisional rival with a lot on the line, it’s easy to understand how Atlanta Braves could be upset.

Was the pitch intentional? Why were they pitching Mike Soroka inside, anyway? Is Soroka going to be okay?

I mean, after all, Voth made quick work of Ronald Acuna Jr. and Dansby Swanson for the first two strikeouts of his career in the first two batters of the game.

Atlanta Braves broadcaster Jeff Francoeur chipped in with a bit of his own speculation in response to a fan’s tweet:

But, he quickly tweeted out an emoji that to me, means that he didn’t think it was intentional when former Atlanta Braves reliever Peter Moylan chimed in on the topic.

Mike Soroka has been nothing short of a sensation this year, pitching to an 8-1 record with an earned run average that had been about as microscopic as possible, but now sits at a cool 2.07, which ranks second in all Major League Baseball.

But would our favorite Canadian pitcher miss his next scheduled start on Friday?

A report from the AJC says that he should be on track to start Friday in New York, where Soroka made his Major League debut last May.

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman suggested that the Atlanta Braves have the option to rest Soroka an extra day or so if needed.

So, what are our takeaways here?

A huge sigh of relief

With the inconsistencies and changes to our starting rotation, losing Soroka for any length of time would hurt. Losing him long term could be disastrous.

Julio Teheran had a second straight rough start, allowing seven runs to the Chicago Cubs on Monday night. Max Fried, though he pitched better last week against the Mets, allowing just two earned runs, had been on a significant slide after a hot start to 2019.

Mike Foltynewicz was sent to Triple-A after another poor start on Saturday against the Nationals, and Kevin Gausman has been plagued by poor performances and is currently disabled due to plantar fasciitis.

We might have 99 pitching problems, but being in first place isn’t one.

Hey, that #32 guy isn’t so bad, after all

Josh Tomlin could make a spot start if the right hurler wasn’t ready to come up from Gwinnett. The former Cleveland Indians pitcher tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while earning an unorthodox save in the Braves’ tenuous 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

If Soroka rests, we could see a prospect get another shot

With Kyle Wright being called up on Monday after being scheduled to pitch in Norfolk for Gwinnett on Tuesday, perhaps he’ll help the bullpen, or would be available to start Friday instead of Soroka.

Bryse Wilson, who along with Wright started in the season-opening series against the Philadelphia Phillies, or even Kolby Allard, could all benefit from Soroka getting extra rest.

Additionally, this could serve as an opportunity to display young arms for the upcoming trade deadline on July 31.

Allard, who hasn’t appeared in the big leagues after a rough three-game patch in 2018, has turned in four consecutive quality starts for the fish, even pitching eight innings against Durham on June 6, allowing just one run.

Surely, the California native is chomping at the bit to earn a chance at redemption on baseball’s biggest stage.

The collective sigh of relief breathed on Monday by Atlanta Braves Country was needed after a moment of panic for many fans.