Joakim Soria leaves game vs. Blue Jays with ‘left side strain’
By Mike Marteny
Detroit Tigers reliever Joakim Soria left today’s game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays with what is being called a “left side strain.” He will be reevaluated tomorrow.
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Soria relieved closer Joe Nathan in the bottom of the ninth against the Jays after Nathan blew the save by giving up a run, and had runners on second and third. Soria got out of the jam, and was able to finish off the inning before giving way to Joba Chamberlain in the bottom of the tenth. Chamberlain allowed a walk-off RBI double to Nolan Reimold, and the Tigers lost 3-2.
Soria was seen grabbing at his left side in the dugout after exiting the field at the conclusion of the inning. Manager Brad Ausmus said the injury was a “left side sprain.”
This is a very vague description, but is the only one that we will have until after he is reevaluated tomorrow.
The Tigers acquired Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers on July 24th for minor league pitchers Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson. He was brought in to bolster a Tiger bullpen that was once again blowing many late leads in what has become their Achilles heel in the last two seasons.
Many speculated that Nathan would lose his job to either Soria or Joba Chamberlain, but his hefty contract has kept him in the role so far. Ausmus pulling Nathan before he could lose the game would seem to add fuel to the speculation.
That could change depending on the severity of Soria’s injury.