Soroka makes 2021 debut for Braves
Pitcher returns for two innings after last year’s Achilles tendon tear
Mike Soroka surrendered a homer while working two innings for the Atlanta Braves in his 2021 debut Tuesday, a big step in the former All-star’s comeback from a torn Achilles tendon.
Soroka got into the Braves’ final game of spring training at Fort Myers, Florida, taking over in the bottom of the sixth with Atlanta leading the Boston Red Sox 4-2.
The 23-year-old right-hander made it through his first inning of work without giving up a run. The Red Sox put two aboard with a hit and a walk, but Soroka recorded a pair of strikeouts, including Chris Herrmann swinging to end the threat.
Jarren Duran led off the next inning by launching a towering drive over the right-field wall to bring the Red Sox to 5-3. Soroka issued another walk and again had to deal with two runners aboard after Johan Camargo’s throwing error.
But Soroka closed out the seven-inning game by getting Jeter Downs to hit into a double play, earning a save.
“It felt good. It felt really good,” Soroka said “It was kind of nice to got into trouble a little bit. I had to keep making pitches like I would during the season.”
While Soroka had pitched in simulated games at the Braves’ spring training complex, this was his first appearance against an opposing team since his injury on Aug. 3, 2020.
Soroka will begin the season on the injured list and continue to build up his arm strength at the alternate-training site in suburban Atlanta. The team is hopeful that he may be ready to rejoin the rotation before the end of April.
Without Soroka last year, Max Fried emerged as Atlanta’s ace, Ian Anderson had a stellar rookie campaign, and the team won its third straight NL East title.
Rockies 2, White Sox 1: Chicago starter Dylan Cease struck out 11 without a walk in 5 1⁄3 innings, allowing one run. Austin Gomber struck out four over three scoreless innings for Colorado. C.J. Cron hit a home run.
Pirates 1, Twins 1 (7): Rookie Ke’bryan Hayes hit his second home run for Pittsburgh. He went 22 for 51 (.431) with 10 extra-base hits this spring. Adam Frazier finished 21 for 43 (.488) in 14 games and Kevin Newman went 20 for 33 (.606). Pirates starter JT Brubaker allowed one hit in five innings.
Rays 5, Tigers 0 (7): Cody Reed opened for Tampa Bay, tossing a scoreless inning. Starter Michael Wacha followed with three shutout innings. Joey Wendle, Manuel Margot and Willy Adames all hit doubles. Casey Mize made his fifth start in his sixth appearance for Detroit, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk in 4 2⁄3 innings. Mize threw four scoreless innings before running into trouble in the fifth. Spencer Torkelson, the Tigers’ top prospect and the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft, struggled in his first camp, getting just one hit in 27 at-bats (.037).
Brewers 6, Rangers 3: Milwaukee starter Brett Anderson gave up two runs in five innings. Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer and Christian Yelich singled to finish spring training with a .393 batting average.
Diamondbacks 3, Indians 2: At Phoenix, Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener struck out seven over 5 2⁄3 innings, allowing four hits.