Michael

Soroka

The 27-year-old right-hander also issued four walks while punching out three on the night. Soroka actually cruised through the first four innings of this one without giving up a run, but he was ambushed for six runs in the fifth while being chased from the ballgame. What started out as a strong showing in Grapefruit League action has culminated in a troublesome 7.47 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and a 13/11 K/BB ratio over his 15 2/3 innings.

Soroka walked the first three batters he faced today, and though he settled down some from there, it was still a miserable day. Fortunately, Soroka pretty much settled his rotation status with strong showings in his first two starts. He still looks like a sleeper in deep mixed leagues.

Soroka’s improved velocity showed up again today, as he averaged 94.6 mph with his fastball. The 27-year-old has struggled to hold up physically since finishing sixth in the NL Cy Young balloting as a rookie in 2019. But if he can shake the injury bug, he could be one of this year’s nice surprises.

Soroka averaged 94.9 mph with his fastball, which is about where he was as a reliever late last season and a 2.5 mph improvement over what he was throwing as a starter at the beginning of the year. If he can keep that up, he might prove to be something special for the Nationals. Of course, health is always a concern here.

Soroka struggled in 2024, registering a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 79 2/3 innings for the White Sox in 2024. He did have some success as a multi-inning reliever, posting a 2.75 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 36 innings after the White Sox moved him to the bullpen. However, the Nationals plan to try him out as a starting pitcher, and he seems likely to start the season in the rotation. He doesn’t have much fantasy value outside of deep NL-only formats.

Soroka missed all of 2021 and 2022 with injuries and was limited to just 32 1/3 innings in 2023 before posting a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 79 2/3 innings for the White Sox in 2024. However, he was much better once Chicago moved him to the bullpen, registering a 2.75 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 36 innings as a reliever. That figures to be where the Mets see the most value, and giving Soroka a short-term contract where he can prove his value is exactly the type of move the Mets seem to be interested in making with pitchers these days.

Soroka had been out since mid-July with a shoulder strain. He’ll spent the last nine days pitching in relief after allowing three runs over eight innings in six rehab appearances. Soroka will be a free agent after the season, and one imagines he might have to settle for a minor league contract.

Soroka has allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings for Charlotte, so it seems like he’s ready to be activated. He’s missed the last two months due to a shoulder strain.

Soroka has been out of action since the middle of July with a right shoulder strain. He’ll likely need to make a couple of rehab appearances before having a chance to join the White Sox rotation in the middle of September.

No word yet on the severity of the strain or on how long the White Sox expect Soroka to be shelved for. Steven Wilson was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move on Friday to take his place in the team’s bullpen.