Jose

Soriano

The only good news for Soriano on the day is that three of the four outs that he did manage to record came from strikeouts. All of the damage done against him came in the opening inning, as Matt Chapman delivered an RBI single and then a pair of his inherited runners scored on a two-run double by Jerar Encarnacion after Soriano had exited due to pitch count. He did return for a second inning and retired all three hitters he faced — including punchouts of Sam Huff and Willy Adames — to finish the day on a high note. Soriano now holds an 8.10 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 4/2 K/BB ratio over 3 1/3 innings through his first two spring starts.

Soriano is one we’re definitely keeping an eye on this spring, given his obvious talent and scary injury history. He missed the final six weeks of last season with what was described as arm fatigue, but his stuff was good today; he averaged 97.4 mph with his fastball and broke off a couple of quality curves. Interestingly, it seems he’s adjusted his slider some back closer to where it was in 2023. It was a pitch he used just about five percent of the time last season, but he threw it seven times in today’s 24-pitch outing.

Soriano’s season is over. Still, it was a successful one for the 25-year-old, who returned to the rotation after spending last season in the pen and had a 3.42 ERA and a 97/45 K/BB in 113 IP. The stuff is there for him to continue to improve, especially in the strikeout department. Still, health is a question mark.

The Angels’ injury woes continue, as Soriano will now be lost for an indefinite period of time after experiencing arm fatigue. He has been one of their most consistent starters this season, posting a 3.42 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 97/45 K/BB ratio over 113 innings in 22 appearances (20 starts). Jose Cisnero was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move on Saturday.

Soriano showed off some strong swing-and-miss stuff, but the five punchouts and three walks saw his pitch count reach 76, and he was pulled in the fourth. Both runs were scored in that inning on singles; one by Sean Murphy and an infield-hit by Jarred Kelenic. Soriano has been a bright spot for the Angels, and even this so-so effort sees him with a 3.42 ERA and 97/45 K/BB over 113 innings.

Soriano scattered just four hits on the evening while issuing one free pass. The only damage done against him came as Keibert Ruiz plated a run with a fielder’s choice in the opening inning. After that, Soriano was in complete command. The 25-year-old hurler got 10 swings and misses on 88 pitches on the evening, posting a CSW of 31 percent. He exited with a 2-1 lead and in line for a victory, but the Angels’ bullpen couldn’t hang on for him. He’ll try to get back in the win column as he totes a 3.36 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 92/42 K/BB ratio (109 2/3 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the Braves.

The bullpen was unkind to Soriano, but so was the offense as they scored just two runs in the game. He left with a 2-0 lead, but the Mets scored four an inning later. The Angels ended up winning, but because baseball is a really fair game and the win-loss stat is flawless, Soriano gets no credit for it. Still, a very impressive outing for Soriano that lowers his ERA in 2024 to 3.47. Next up is a start against the Nationals over the weekend.

The right-hander walked two and struck out two in the ineffective outing. He cruised through the first two innings without any difficulty, then surrendered six runs while getting chased in the third inning — including a three-run double off the bat of Brent Rooker. Soriano got just two whiffs on 62 pitches on the afternoon, posting a miserable CSW of only 15 percent. He’ll look to bounce back and improve upon his 3.69 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 79/39 K/BB ratio (97 2/3 innings) when he toes the slab against the Mets on Saturday.

Soriano’s emergence is the one especially positive development for the Angels this season. Last year, he looked like he might turn into a legitimate closer, but potential top-of-the-rotation guy is an even better outcome. The 25-year-old Soriano allowed just three hits, walked three and struck out five versus the Mariners. He’s been one of the game’s top groundball pitchers while going 6-7 with a 3.51 ERA through 95 innings.

Soriano was effectively wild in his final outing of the first half, piling up five strikeouts, while also handing out four free passes. The 25-year-old righty induced an impressive 16 swinging strikes and finished with a near-elite 38 percent CSW. He was nearly flawless, keeping Seattle’s offense off the scoreboard over his final five frames of work following a run-scoring single from Julio Rodríguez in the first inning. He’ll bring a solid 3.71 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 72/34 K/BB ratio across 87 1/3 innings (17 appearances, 15 starts) into the All-Star break. He doesn’t project as a future fantasy ace, but it’s outings like this that inspire confidence he’ll make an impact for fantasy managers, even in shallow mixed leagues.