We're only just starting Spring Training, but there's already some unfortunate news regarding one player vying for the Atlanta Braves' fifth spot in the rotation. On Friday, it was reported that Michael Soroka (formerly known as Mike Soroka) is dealing with hamstring tightness and has not begun workouts.
Mike Soroka is dealing with hamstring tightness, manager Brian Snitker said. He reported it when he arrived to camp. The Braves are holding him out as a precaution.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) February 17, 2023
This is another unfortunate setback for the Canadian righty, who has missed the past two seasons after tearing his Achilles twice, once in 2020 and again in 2021. He also missed significant time in 2018 with a muscle strain in his shoulder.
What does this mean for Michael Soroka and the fifth starter spot?
Soroka enters Spring Training as one of the many pitchers looking to land the fifth starter spot. He is among the favorites, along with Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder.
The 2019 All-Star has had the most success of the favorites for the rotation as he has a sixth place finish in Cy Young and finished second in Rookie of the Year in 2019.
Since then, however, Soroka has only pitched three games in the majors since being named the Opening Day Starter in 2020, thanks to the Achilles injury and the unfortunate retearing the following year.
Our favorite Canadian pitcher was able to make his way back to the minor leagues last year, pitching 25 innings in six starts across the Braves minor league system. He was shut down at the end of the year, however, thanks to shoulder soreness, but was expected to be fully ready by Spring Training.
This latest setback doesn't look too serious at the moment, as the Braves are holding him back as a precaution, but it's certainly something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. If Soroka needs more time ramping up and getting stretched out as a starter, he'd likely not start the season on the Opening Day roster.