Braves Rumors: Pitching help signed, Michael Soroka struggling, cheap trade target

Braves Rumors: Michael Soroka rehab continues to hit roadblocks, but not with health

It’s been a long road back to the majors for Michael Soroka after he made just three starts before tearing his Achilles in the 2020 season. Still, the Braves have continued to remain hopeful that the 2019 All-Star who’s still just 25 years old can return and be a big part of the rotation.

That road might still be longer, though, but it’s thankfully not because of his health this time around.

Soroka, who missed all of the 2021 and 2022 seasons after a rehab setback and then re-tearing his Achilles, has been working his way back after playing with Atlanta in spring training, most recently making starts with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. And suffice it to say that it’s not been going well.

After giving up three runs on four hits and two walks on Thursday night, Soroka is now 0-2 in Triple-A and has posted a 5.47 ERA. Those numbers don’t inspire a ton of confidence that a pitcher who hasn’t taken the mound in the majors for almost three years now is ready to make that jump again.

There is a silver lining, it should be said. Soroka was bad out of the gate for Gwinnett, giving up all three runs in the first inning. But he then got in a groove and retired nine-straight batters.

With the injuries to Fried and Wright, among others, getting Soroka back would be a massive boost for the Braves right now but, more importantly, moving forward.