Braves shut down Mike Soroka for season after latest Achilles setback

Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Soroka has been shut down for the rest of the season.

While we all expected it, Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker made it official on Friday afternoon: Right-handed pitcher Mike Soroka has been shut down for the rest of the 2021 MLB season after his latest Achilles setback.

Soroka missed the bulk of the 2020 season after tearing his Achilles vs. the New York Mets last year. Fate would have it that the news of him being ruled out for the year came on the day the Braves begin a weekend series up in Flushing. When healthy, Soroka was the best pitcher on this young Atlanta staff. Max Fried and Ian Anderson have since risen to prominence in his absence.

Braves Country can finally move on from the notion of a late-season return out of Soroka.

Atlanta Braves RHP Mike Soroka has been shut down for the season

The Braves enter Friday night at 24-25 on the season and 2.5 games back of the Mets for first place in the NL East. While it has been a frustrating season for Atlanta thus far, the Braves do have a positive run differential and the entire division has not been great up to this point. All things equal, the Braves have the deepest and best roster in the division, even without Soroka on it.

What this latest Soroka injury update should mean for Braves Country is they have to enter the 2022 season cautiously surrounding the health of their former ace. While he could return to form after this devastating injury, they have to accept that he may no longer be the same player once he does make his triumphant return to the Atlanta lineup. For now, he must continue his rehab.

With Soroka ruled out, this frees up the Braves to potentially add to their rotation this summer.