Soroka (1-2) earned the win against the Orioles on Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Soroka took advantage of an early lead, tossing four scoreless innings before allowing three runs across the fifth and sixth frames. The 27-year-old generated 10 whiffs in his longest outing of the season, though he was limited to only 82 pitches. He'll take a 5.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 23:4 KBB across 19.2 innings into a home matchup with the Giants next weekend.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Four innings in revenge game
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Soroka didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.
The right-hander made his big-league debut with Atlanta in 2018, but his first career start against his former club wasn't exactly a triumph as Soroka managed only six swinging strikes among 81 pitches (53 total strikes) before getting the hook with the score tied 2-2. In two starts since recovering from a biceps strain and returning to the Nats' rotation, Soroka has been tagged for six runs in nine innings with a 12:3 K:BB. He lines up to take the mound again this weekend on the road in Baltimore.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Fans eight in return to rotation
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Soroka (0-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals fell 8-6 to the Guardians, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over five-plus innings. He struck out eight.
Making his first start since March 31 after recovering from a bicep strain, Soroka blanked Cleveland through five frames before running out of gas in the sixth -- he put the first four batters aboard on two singles, a hit by pitch and a double prior to exiting, as part of an eight-run inning for the Guardians. On the bright side, Soroka generated an impressive 30 called or swinging strikes among his 78 pitches. The right-hander will look for a better result in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against Atlanta, the team he made his MLB debut with in 2018.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Activated for start
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The Nationals reinstated Soroka (biceps) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Guardians in Washington.
Washington optioned reliever Eduardo Salazar to Triple-A Rochester to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Soroka, who made just one start for the Nationals before landing on the shelf in early April with a right biceps strain. The right-hander began a rehab assignment April 22 and made three starts in the minors, most recently striking out 11 over five innings of one-run ball for Rochester last Friday. Soroka tossed 94 pitches in that outing, so he should be able to handle a traditional starter's workload as he steps back into the Washington rotation. Brad Lord is expected to be moved to the bullpen with Soroka back in the fold.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Returning Wednesday
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Soroka (biceps) will be activated from the injured list and start Wednesday against the Guardians, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Manager Dave Martinez said Soroka will claim the fifth spot in the Nationals' rotation upon returning, which will force Brad Lord to move back to the bullpen. Soroka has been on the injured list since early April after suffering a biceps strain during his first start of the season. He has since made three rehab starts in the minors, most recently striking out 11 batters across five innings of one-run ball at Triple-A Rochester.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Spectacular in latest rehab start
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Soroka (biceps) struck out 11 and allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks over five innings in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Rochester.
Soroka built up to 4.1 innings and 78 pitches in his second rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg last Sunday, but rather than bringing him back from the 15-day injured list for this weekend's series in Cincinnati, the Nationals instead opted to have the right-hander move up a level for a third rehab outing. The 27-year-old seemed to have answered any lingering questions about his readiness to join the big club with his dominant showing for Rochester, as his 11 punchouts on the night were backed by 17 swinging strikes over his 94 pitches. Assuming he remains on the standard four-day rest schedule he's been following during his rehab assignment, Soroka will likely come off the IL to make his next start for Washington in Wednesday's series finale versus the Guardians at Nationals Park.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: In line for another rehab start
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Soroka (biceps) is not listed among the Nationals' probable pitchers for this weekend's series in Cincinnati and is expected to make a third rehab start in the minors, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
Soroka declared himself ready to go after he went 4.1 innings and threw 78 pitches in his second rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday. However, rather than bringing him back from the 15-day injured list this weekend, the Nationals will presumably ask him to make one more rehab start to increase his pitch count a bit. Barring a setback, Soroka should rejoin the Washington rotation next week. He's been out since late March due to a right biceps strain.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Next steps undetermined
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The Nationals haven't decided whether Soroka (biceps) will return from the 15-day injured list this week or make another rehab start, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Soroka believes he's ready to pitch with the big club after going 4.1 innings and throwing 78 pitches in his second rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday. However, manager Dave Martinez said the team could have Soroka make one more rehab start in order to get his pitch count up to 90. A decision on where Soroka's next start will take place should come within the next few days. The righty is working his way back from a biceps strain.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Builds up to 78 pitches
Rotowire
Soroka (biceps) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a while striking out four over 4.1 innings during his rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday.
The right-hander built up to 78 pitches in his second rehab outing, though he didn't quite reach the goal of five innings. Even so, Soroka may be built up enough to make his next start with the Nationals, though he'll need to rejoin the big club to be evaluated before any decision is made. If cleared to return from the 15-day injured list, he's likely to pitch next weekend in Cincinnati.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Making rehab start Sunday
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Soroka (biceps) will make a rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
Soroka worked 2.2 innings in his first rehab start Tuesday, and the goal Sunday is for the 27-year-old right-hander to pitch at least five innings. Soroka is in the final stages of his recovery from a right biceps strain that caused him to be placed on the 15-day injured list April 4.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Cleared for rehab start
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Soroka (biceps) is expected to make a rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday.
Soroka was placed on the injured list April 4 due to a right biceps strain but has made positive strides in his recovery in recent days. He completed a bullpen session over the weekend without issue and has now received the green light to take the next step forward in his rehab process by heading to the minors. The Nationals haven't outlined their plans for Soroka, but he may need to make an additional rehab start after Tuesday before becoming an option for the big-league rotation.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Nearing rehab assignment
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Soroka (biceps) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
Soroka has been out of action since late March due to a right biceps strain. He resumed his throwing program in a simulated game Wednesday, and barring any setbacks from his session Saturday, the 27-year-old right-hander should embark on a rehab assignment next week.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Goes on IL with biceps strain
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The Nationals placed Soroka on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right bicep strain, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Soroka had hoped to make his next start after exiting his first outing of the season March 31 with what the team had referred to as a bicep cramp. However, the injury is now classified as a strain and will sideline him for at least a couple starts. It's not yet clear whom the Nationals will turn to in Soroka's spot in the rotation.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Lined up to start Sunday
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The Nationals are listing Soroka (bicep) as their scheduled starter for Sunday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Soroka is scheduled to play catch Wednesday after exiting Monday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays due to a right bicep cramp. He'll still need to complete Wednesday's workout as well as throw a bullpen session without any setbacks, but if that happens as expected, he'll be ready to take the hill this weekend.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Leaves start with biceps cramp
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Soroka was pulled from Monday's start against the Blue Jays due to a right biceps cramp, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The club was initially concerned that Soroka had suffered a more serious injury, per Zuckerman, but it was later revealed that he was simply trying to fight off a cramp. The issue shouldn't cause Soroka to miss his next scheduled start, which tentatively lines up for Sunday against Arizona, but the team will likely monitor him throughout the week to make sure he bounces back.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Walks off with trainer
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Soroka left Monday's start against the Blue Jays with an apparent right hand injury, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. He allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings prior to departing.
Soroka appeared to be in discomfort after missing badly on his 83rd pitch of the night, and he walked off with the team trainer shortly after. He'll likely be taken to the clubhouse for further evaluation and can be considered day-to-day until the team has more news to share.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Sharp in Thursday's outing
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Soroka gave up one run on four hits over four innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out six without walking a batter.
The right-hander built up to 61 pitches (37 strikes) as he faced a number of St. Louis regulars, including Nolan Arenado, Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn. Injuries looked like they had completely derailed Soroka's career, but he found some success last season in the bullpen for the White Sox, and he's now in camp with the Nats looking to prove he still has something to offer as a starter. So far so good for Soroka, who's delivered a 9:1 K:BB through his first seven spring innings.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Sparkling spring debut
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Soroka walked one and struck out three over three scoreless, no-hit innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
Facing a St. Louis lineup that featured a number of likely Opening Day starters, Soroka got Willson Contreras to ground into a double play to end the first inning before including Nolan Gorman and Pedro Pages among his strikeout victims over his final two frames. Soroka is attempting to prove he can still be an effective big-league starting pitcher after finishing 2024 in the bullpen for the White Sox, signing a one-year, $9 million prove-it deal with the Nats in December. The double-play grounder might have been a better sign on that front than the Ks -- during his one outstanding campaign in 2019 with Atlanta, Soroka recorded a 51.2 percent groundball rate, a mark that sunk to 40.3 percent last season.
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Nationals' Michael Soroka: Signs with Washington
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Soroka agreed to terms on a one-year, $9 million contract with the Nationals on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Soroka started last season with a 6.39 ERA and 1.51 WHIP after nine starts with the White Sox. His performance improved dramatically after moving to the bullpen, posting a 2.75 ERA and 1.22 WHIP alongside a 60:20 K:BB over 36 frames as a reliever. The Nationals will attempt to transition Soroka back into a starting role, per Andrew Golden of The Washington Post, but given the 27-year-old's injury history and the fact he hasn't reached 100 innings since 2019, the Nationals may look to limit his workload.
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White Sox's Michael Soroka: Back from IL
Rotowire
The White Sox reinstated Soroka (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.
Soroka has been on the injured list since mid-July due to a strained right shoulder, but he's been cleared to return to the Pale Hose after giving up three earned runs across nine innings during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte. The 27-year-old has struggled in his first year with Chicago, posting a 5.23 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, but a lack of depth in the Chicago bullpen will keep him in a middle-relief role. Chad Kuhl was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
