Atlanta Braves fans pleased as pitcher Mike Soroka returns to the mound for first time since 2020: "Comeback player of the year"

Atlanta Braves Photo Day
Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during Photo Day

Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka made his return to the mound for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years on Wednesday, hurling against the Detroit Tigers in his Spring Training debut.

Soroka tore his right Achilles tendon in just his third start of the 2020 season, and then suffered the same injury while simply walking in the Braves' clubhouse in 2021.

Injuries have been a constant problem for Mike Soroka throughout his career. He was also shut down while pitching in the minors last season after experiencing a sore right elbow. His spring debut was delayed for weeks by a right hamstring strain.

However, he made it through 36 pitches injury-free in a 5-3 win over the Tigers.

A bulked-up Soroka had hopes of fighting for the fifth spot in the Braves' rotation this spring, before a hamstring strain put him behind in the competition. Currently, non-roster invitee Jared Shuster holds the inside track on the No. 5 spot heading into Opening Day, according to Fangraphs.

Soroka last pitched a full season in 2019, when he went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 29 starts. He placed second in the National League Rookie of the Year balloting and was sixth in the NL Cy Young Award vote. In 37 starts over three seasons, Soroka is 15-6 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.

It's never too late for fans to begin thinking about the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and Team Canada fans are already picturing a storybook tournament for their squad in three years. Mike Soroka is a native of Calgary in the Canadian province of Alberta.

Mike Soroka still shaking off the rust, but hopeful of contributing to Braves this season

Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the New York Mets on August 3, 2020
Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the New York Mets on August 3, 2020

It's been a long road back for Mike Soroka, and he still has ways to go. He told MLB.com that he was happy to be back pitching for the Braves, and hopes to be a part of the team in 2023:

"There are some things I need to work on still. It was nice to get out there and compete again and be considered part of the mix. That's a good start. There's a fine line between celebrating and being proud of yourself and all the work that you've put in. I don't think this is quite a celebratory thing yet, but that'll come."

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