MLB Rumors: Bryce Harper bat signal, Mike Soroka’s concerning start, end of Adam Wainwright
By Kristen Wong
Today’s MLB rumors surround three stars: one is living his best life and could secretly be a superhero, and the other two are sadly on the decline.
The MLB season is always full of excitement and surprises, and this year fans are more than getting their money’s worth. Well, maybe a little less compared to previous years given the new pitch clock rules, but still.
One month into the 2023 season, what top stories are dominating the news?
For one, people should go and have a look at Bryce Harper’s birth certificate. Based on how quickly he’s recovered from surgery, he could very well have been born on Krypton. Even if he wasn’t, he’s definitely got more Wolverine blood in him than Russell Wilson.
For other stars in the league, the future doesn’t shine so bright. Braves’ Mike Soroka put together a worrisome performance in his Triple-A start, and Adam Wainwright is quickly losing the trust and support of Cardinals fans.
Here are the three biggest rumors in the MLB right now.
MLB Rumors: Braves pitcher Mike Soroka has a minor league debut to forget
Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Soroka hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2020, and his minor league debut on Sunday was proof of why. In his Triple-A start, Soroka and the Gwinnett Stripers got hammered by the Buffalo Bisons 21-9. Yes, that’s a real baseball score.
Amid talk of Soroka earning a promotion to the majors, he threw his worst start: in three innings, he allowed ten hits and eight runs.
Mike Soroka gave up 10 hits and eight runs (seven earned) in just three innings of his Triple-A start today. #Braves rehabbing closer Raisel Iglesias took over to start the fourth and pitched a clean inning with two groundouts and a strikeout.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 30, 2023
Will Atlanta chalk up Soroka’s poor performance to bad luck and call him up this weekend? It’s hard to tell.
Any pitcher returning from a multi-year layoff is bound to run into some hurdles, and his other Triple-A showings (1.32 ERA in 13.2 innings) may be more representative of the talented arm he can be.
Atlanta is in desperate need of a spot starter for Friday’s home game against the Orioles, and Soroka remains in the running to take that role and make his first major league appearance since August of 2020.
Prior to Sunday’s game, Soroka seemed to be nearing the end of a grueling three-year period of rehabbing his Achilles injuries. His latest stumble in Triple-A may be just that, and the finish line is still there waiting for him around the corner.