Finally, after an extensive journey with so many obstacles, it appears Michael Soroka is set to take a major league mound once again for the Atlanta Braves. His journey has been well documented and we are all going to feel the emotions when he toes the rubber once again. This is one of the heartwarming moments for not just Braves fans, but baseball fans everywhere. I’m not sure there has been a player who has the baseball community as a whole universally rooting for them.
At some point today, Braves manager Brian Snitker will announce that Michael Soroka is starting Monday in Oakland.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) May 28, 2023
It’ll only be a formality at that point. https://t.co/xOChceQqka
Soroka last pitched on a Major League mound in August of 2020. Since then it’s been setback after setback for the young man. But after so much devastating news for Soroka, he can finally look forward to returning to a big leauge mound. Let’s take a look back at each of Soroka’s injuries and why we all should be so proud of the perseverance displayed by this young man.
May 2018 - Shoulder Inflammation
Young stud prospect Michael Soroka actually had his major league debut on May 1, 2018 in Queens against the rival Mets. After just five major league starts Soroka was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. He still felt discomfort during his rehab and was transferred to the 60-day DL in late June. Rather than rush him back late in the season the Braves decided to shut Soroka down for the remainder of the season.
August 2020 - Torn Right Achilles
After an impressive rookie year in 2019, which saw him finish sixth in NL Cy Young voting, Soroka became one of the Braves youngest opening day starters in franchise history to begin the 2020 season. Unfortunately, in just his third start of the season Soroka blew his right Achilles when he attempting to field a ground ball thus ending his season.
May 2021 - Achilles Exploratory Surgery
After an extensive rehab Soroka began to feel the process hit a wall. A cleanup surgery early in the 2021 season revealed that Soroka’s body had rejected the sutures from the first procedure. Once that procedure was finished though the outlook felt better as the Achilles was thought to be sound, and it was now just a matter of Soroka rebuilding his strength. Unfortunately, that was not the end of the setbacks.
Soroka said exploratory surgery confirmed his discomfort was caused by his body rejecting the sutures in his Achilles. This has rarely happened. So projecting a return date seems like just a guessing game for now. He's still in a boot and it will take time to regain calf strength
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 17, 2021
June 2021 - Torn Right Achilles (Again)
Just when things appeared to be heading in the right direction for Soroka, he faced yet another gut punch. Soroka had once again torn his right Achilles, this time from entering the Braves clubhouse. It was devastating as news someone could get. Soroka even went as far as to say that moment was “No doubt one of the hardest moments of my life.” Unfortunately, it was back to square one for the Braves young arm.
Medical Update on Mike Soroka –
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 26, 2021
This past Thursday while walking to the clubhouse at Truist Park, Mike Soroka felt a pop in his right Achilles.
August/September 2022 - Rehab Stint/Soreness
After the third surgery and second full rehab on his right Achilles, Michael Soroka had finally progressed far enough to take the hill in a competitive baseball game again. He made one start with the Rome Braves, and afterwards said he had some of the best movement on his sinker he has ever had. Soroka then proceeded to make five starts with AAA Gwinnett.
He would allow 15 ER over 21 innings for Gwinnett, but this wasn’t result oriented for Soroka. It was a success for him just to be throwing competitive pitches again. Once the minor league season ended, Atlanta decided to shut down Soroka with shoulder soreness and allow him to turn his attention on competing for a rotation spot to open 2023.
.@Braves righty Mike Soroka was cruising for @GoStripers before a rain delay:
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 3, 2022
4 IP
1 H
0 R
0 BB
5 K pic.twitter.com/xpIiSpUMZW
February 2023 - Hamstring Tightness
The Braves starting rotation had come a long way since Soroka’s first Achilles tear. Entering the 2023 season there was really only one rotation spot up for grabs. Soroka figured to be among the top candidates battling for that job in spring training. Unfortunately, he had to overcome one more hurdle as in late February he began experiencing hamstring tightness. The Braves decided to delay his preseason work and allowed him to open the season with Gwinnett. In eight starts thus far, Soroka has a 4.58 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.
Here’s how his last start for Gwinnett went.
Final line for Soroka:
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) May 24, 2023
6.0 IP | 2 H | 1 R | 3 BB | 8 K pic.twitter.com/AiYyqvbAN5
If there’s any person in this sport that deserves a long and successful career its our Canadien son Michael Soroka. Let’s hope the baseball gods let this list be the end of his injury history. For now we have to acknowledge what a resilient person Soroka has been and take in his special return with him. I think I speak for us all when I say, I really can’t wait to watch the Atlanta Braves play baseball Monday night.