Braves news: Michael Soroka shows positive signs in recovery

The Atlanta Braves received some good news regarding starting pitcher Michael Soroka, who is working his way back from hamstring injury.

The Atlanta Braves‘ starting rotation has been much talked about throughout spring training. There is a battle for the fifth starting rotation spot between Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd, with Ian Anderson being sent down to Triple-A.

The Braves did just receive some good news on a starter who isn’t part of the rotation just yet, but could down the line.

Michael Soroka entered spring training with hamstring tightness, and was later diagnosed as a strain. As The Athletic’s David O’Brien points out, Soroka pitched in two-inning simulated game and his pitch speed measured up to 93-mph.

Braves receive positive update on Michael Soroka

That is certainly good news for Braves fans to hear.

Shortly after news broke of his hamstring injury, Soroka was cleared to play catch on Feb. 18. Back on March 4, Soroka resumed throwing off of a mound, weeks after he suffered the hamstring injury. Now, he is getting closer to potentially pitch before the end of spring training.

Soroka has not pitched in a game for the Braves since the 2020 season, when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. But during the 2021 season, as he continued to work towards a return, Soroka tore that same Achilles tendon again while walking into the clubhouse. He underwent three different surgeries for his Achilles injury.

Soroka pitched in six minor league games last season, where he recorded a 5.40 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, 25 strikeouts and seven walks over 25.0 innings.

Soroka will not be in the starting rotation for the start of the upcoming season, but he could return at some point and pitch in his first major league game in nearly three years.