Braves: Brian Snitker’s Mike Soroka update is incredibly depressing

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker revealed it might be some time before fans will see pitcher Mike Soroka take the mound.

The start to the Atlanta Braves‘ season has not gone as planned, as they currently sit in fourth place in the NL East with a 7-10 record. Many of their woes stem from pitching, where they currently own the second-highest team ERA in the league with a 4.85 tally. Braves fans were holding out hope that pitcher Mike Soroka could make a return to further bolster the rotation.

Earlier this month, Soroka was shut down due to right shoulder inflammation. More than two weeks later, Braves manager Brian Snikter revealed that Soroka has yet to throw since being sidelined. Then, Snitker provided the proverbial gut punch to the fanbase by saying Soroka “is so far away, it’s not even relevant now.”

Braves: Mike Soroka has yet to throw since being shut down with right shoulder inflammation

Last August, Soroka’s 2020 season ended earlier than expected after he ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a game against the New York Mets. This spring, Soroka threw simulated games at Braves camp before making his lone spring appearance on March 30 against the Boston Red Sox. In two innings of work, Soroka struck out two batters while allowing one earned run on two hits.

The last time Soroka played a full season was in 2019, where he accumulated a 13-4 record, 2.68 ERA and 1.111 WHIP while striking out 142 batters in 174.2 innings of work (29 starts).

The Braves are hoping Soroka could return to this form at some point this season. With Soroka now dealing with shoulder inflammation, it is anyone’s guess when he will officially take the mound in 2021. Based off Snitker’s comments, the outlook is not good.