The last time that Michael Soroka pitched a game in Truist Park, it was when he was with the Atlanta Braves in September 2023. It was a last gasp attempt to show the Braves that he was worth keeping around after injuries robbed him (and Braves fans) of what was an incredible start to a career. Unfortunately, that start did not go well, Atlanta traded him to the White Sox that offseason, and now he is poised to make his return to Atlanta wearing a division rival's uniform.
For many fans, they are just glad Soroka was able keep playing at all after two Achilles' tendon tears as well as a few issues with his shoulder over the years. Soroka ended up remaking himself as a reliever in Chicago and Washington scooped him up before this season to turn him back into a starter.
Now, with the Braves hosting the Nationals this week, Soroka is once again going to be pitching at Truist Park trying to prolong his career, but the context is different as he is now tasked with trying to keep the Braves' struggling offense in check on Tuesday night.
It is hard to know how to feel about Michael Soroka's return
Look, players come and go all the time. Braves have had to watch Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Dansby Swanson, and now Max Fried among others go on to find success with other teams and, at times, against the Braves. It is never fun, but it is the nature of the business.
Soroka does feel a little bit different though in that it feels like we didn't get to enjoy him. He was great in 2019 and avid prospect followers got to see him carve up the minor leagues, but he just didn't get to play much after that. There was always hope that he would be able to bounce back and those hopes would be dashed over and over again. Soroka's body just wouldn't let this homegrown talent that everyone loved do what it seemed like he was destined to do.
One hopes that when Soroka does take the mound tonight, Braves fans give him a warm ovation because the guy did do everything in his power to be what many of us thought he would be. After that, hopefully he goes five innings, the Braves' offense gets to the Nationals' bullpen, and Atlanta gets another win. Some loyalties and affections only go so far.