A number of fan favorites have departed the Atlanta Braves in recent years and it is really unfortunate. In some cases like Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson, the two sides simply couldn't come to terms on a deal that worked for everyone. Unfortunately, in the case of Michael Soroka, his departure from the Braves was the product of what felt like an endless stream of injuries that robbed fans of a roster mainstay.
After a 2019 season that saw him poised to become one of MLB's best pitchers, tragedy struck as Soroka dealt with back-to-back Achilles' tears that threatened his career. Soroka was eventually able to get back on the mound after a lengthy layoff, but he wasn't the same and the Braves ultimately decided to trade him to the White Sox after the 2023 season.
Soroka landed on his feet in getting a nice one year deal from the Nationals last year and was eventually traded to the Cubs where he was immediately hurt again (this time his shoulder). While his injury history seems to keep getting longer, the Diamondbacks still decided to sign Soroka to a one year deal
News: Free agent pitcher Mike Soroka is in agreement with the Diamondbacks on a 1-year deal, pending a physical, sources tell me and @JeffPassan.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 8, 2025
Former Braves starter Michael Soroka just got one more chance after signing with the Diamondbacks
In terms of fit, it is hard to find a better one than Soroka and Arizona. The Diamondbacks desperately need rotation help after multiple key starters hit free agency and they don't want to spend a ton of money. With a reported $7.5 million guarantee but $2 million in incentives, Arizona gets a relatively cheap arm with upside that could actually get rewarded.
For Soroka, this might be his actual last chance to stick around in a full-time role in the majors. It is remarkable that he was able to come back and pitch at all after those Achilles injuries, but Soroka isn't going to keep getting guaranteed contracts if he can't stay on the field. He will have all the opportunities in the world when it comes to playing time with the Diamondbacks, so that certainly doesn't hurt the cause.
This is a tough one for a lot of Braves fans. Soroka represented lofty hopes just a few years ago and now represents lost potential and disappointment. It wasn't his fault that his body refused to cooperate and no one doubts his commitment to getting healthy, but there will definitely be a twinge of regret and even jealousy if Soroka goes out to the desert and shoves like we all thought he could.