The Atlanta Braves could be getting back two All-Star players by the end of the season in Ozzie Albies and Mike Soroka who could give them a boost.
While the Atlanta Braves are in the midst of three of the most frustrating games of the season, help could be on the way soon.
On Tuesday it was announced that Ozzie Albies could begin a rehab assignment later in the week — perhaps as early as Thursday.
And Mike Soroka is set to make his fourth rehab start on Friday in Gwinnett.
Anytime you can add two All-Star level players to your roster that comes with a certain level of excitement and potential.
But there are certainly some question marks about both of these guys are they near their respective returns to the big leagues.
Albies hasn’t played since June 13 and was having a terrible season when he broke his foot slashing .244/.289/.405.
But we all know that when he gets hot he can carry a team, and if the Braves get that version of Ozzie Albies the sky is the limit with for this offense.
And Albies always plays great defense, so that’s certainly going to help.
As for Soroka, he hasn’t pitched since August 3 … 2020.
Certainly, the expectations for him returning have to be kept in check.
Through his first three rehab starts he’s given up 11 hits and 4 walks in 12 innings with 11 strikeouts.
In the two starts at Gwinnett, he’s given up 6 earned runs on 10 hits and 4 walks in 8 innings with just 3 strikeouts.
But he’s worked his way up to 75 pitches, which is great. We’ll see if he needs another tune-up after Friday before returning, but it seems like we may actually get to see him at the big league level this year.
Whether that’s as a starter or reliever, if he can get that sinker working effectively there is the potential for him to get some big outs for the Braves this year.
This Braves team is already really good and capable of doing big things, but if they could get the best versions of Ozzie and Soroka down the stretch — watch out.