Braves could get even better in short order

The Atlanta Braves are firing on all cylinders and will be even better once Mike Soroka makes his triumphant return to the starting rotation.

Winners of 11 straight, the Atlanta Braves are poised to be even better when key players like Mike Soroka are able to make their return to the big-league ballclub.

Atlanta’s former ace has pitched in a grand total of three games since his breakout 2019 MLB season. A pair of torn Achilles have derailed his promising career. The good news is he seems to be doing great this time through with his rehab. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos spoke on the team’s flagship 680 The Fan the other day about the team of late, touching on Soroka as well.

Anthopoulos believes Soroka could make his first rehab start later this month, possibly being back with the big-league club after the All-Star break if all goes well for him, presumably in Gwinnett.

"“We’re looking at end of June, beginning of July. I don’t know where he’ll start, he’ll probably touch Gwinnett obviously at some point, but he’s been throwing bullpen,” said Anthopoulos to 680 The Fan. “He’s been 92-95, and that’s really exciting just because a lot of time you don’t see big velocity when guys are throwing bullpen. He feels great, he looks great. Our thought with him was the All-Star break was the point.”"

Soroka is not the only Braves player of note still banged up. They are still expecting to get Eddie Rosario back in the outfield at some point, as well as adding Tyler Matzek and Kirby Yates to their stellar bullpen. It is all coming up aces in The ATL, alright.

Mike Soroka could return to Atlanta Braves rotation after the All-Star break

Look. This is a great problem to have for the Braves. With Spencer Strider having pitched well in his cup of coffee as the fifth starter, somebody is going to have to go to the bullpen once Soroka returns. It will probably be Stache N Gas, much to the chagrin of certain members of Braves Country, but Soroka’s talent is undeniable. Plus, injuries are an inevitable part of baseball anyway.

While Ian Anderson has been the most inconsistent Braves starter this season and Charlie Morton has been brutal in the first inning, Strider is the one that goes back to the bullpen if Soroka is able to make his triumphant return to the big-league club. The good news is Atlanta has plenty of pitching to realistically try for a repeat this season. It is going to be so tough, but it is a possibility.

Ultimately, there is nothing wrong with having too many good players. Getting them all in the lineup on a regular basis might be a challenge for Anthopoulos and skipper Brian Snitker, but there are worse problems to have. The best part is Soroka does not have to carry the rotation upon returning. If he is a close facsimile of his former self, the Braves Country should be over the moon.

No player will get a louder cheer from echoing throughout The Battery than when Soroka returns.