MICHAEL SOROKA NEWS

Betts hits 2 HRs in final spring training game of the year

Mookie Betts put an exclamation point on the exhibition season

MARCH 30, 2021 • Associated Press

Soroka in 'right direction' after spring debut A little more than 20 minutes after pitching against an opposing team for the first time in nearly eight months, Mike Soroka couldn’t hide h...

MARCH 30, 2021 • MLB.COM

Soroka returns for Braves on last day of spring training

Mike Soroka surrendered a homer while working two innings for the Atlanta Braves in his first official outing since tearing his Achilles tendon last August

MARCH 30, 2021 • Associated Press

2021 MLB season predictions: Division races, playoff picks, award winners and more

Ben Verlander outlines everything you need to know for the 2021 MLB season, from division races to award contenders.

MARCH 30, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

Soroka 'super stoked' for first game action Mike Soroka will take his next step in the rehab process on Tuesday, when he is scheduled to pitch an inning or two in Atlanta's Spring Trai...

MARCH 29, 2021 • MLB.COM

Game action coming Tuesday Soroka (Achilles) will throw an inning or two Tuesday against Boston, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Impact Soroka has made slow but steady progress as he works his way back from Achilles surgery. He's seemingly avoided setbacks, but the team has been careful not to rush him. The fact that he's about to pitch in game action represents a significant step in his recovery process, though his expected return date remains unclear. The most optimistic timeline provided by the team would see him rejoin the rotation by mid-April, though a late April or early May return wouldn't be a surprise.

MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pablo Sandoval makes Braves' opening day roster

Pablo Sandoval has made the opening day roster for the Atlanta Braves

MARCH 27, 2021 • Associated Press

Braves option Bryse Wilson for brief stay at alternate site

The Atlanta Braves have optioned right-hander Bryse Wilson to their alternate training site for what is expected to be a brief stay

MARCH 26, 2021 • Associated Press

Max Fried gets the nod as Braves' opening day starter

Max Fried will make his first opening day start for the Atlanta Braves, getting the nod in the wake of two stellar seasons

MARCH 25, 2021 • Associated Press

Throws another simulated game Soroka (Achilles) threw another simulated game Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Soroka has been building up carefully as he works his way back from Achilles surgery. His return timeline still isn't entirely clear, but it's possible he returns before the end of April.

MARCH 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ranking all 30 MLB teams, from the mighty Dodgers to the lowly Pirates

With Opening Day right around the corner, Ben Verlander ranks all 30 MLB teams, from the contenders to the cellar-dwellers.

MARCH 24, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

Braves option Wright, clear No. 5 rotation spot for Wilson

The Atlanta Braves have optioned right-hander Kyle Wright to their alternate training site

MARCH 24, 2021 • Associated Press

Team not ruling out early return Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos suggested Friday that Soroka (Achilles) could rejoin the rotation by mid-April, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact Speaking during the broadcast of Friday's Grapefruit League contest, Anthopoulos noted that Soroka looked good covering first base during his simulated game earlier in the day, and his ability to play defense without issue is one of the final hurdles in his recovery from Achilles surgery. Manager Brian Snitker later indicated that the right-hander hadn't yet hit and run from the batter's box. A late April or early May return to action still seems likely for Soroka, but the team is open to the idea of bringing him back sooner if he proves he's ready.

MARCH 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing simulated game Soroka (Achilles) will throw a simulated game Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Soroka continues to build up carefully as he makes his way back from a torn Achilles tendon. His expected return date remains unclear, but given where he is in his recovery, a return in late April or early May seems likely.

MARCH 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

May not see game action this spring Soroka (Achilles) continues to "check all the boxes" in his recovery, per Atlanta manager Brian Snitker, but the team has yet to decide whether he'll make a Grapefruit League appea...

Impact The right-hander is being brought along slowly after undergoing surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon last August, as the Braves don't want to take any chances with a player expected to be one of their rotation pillars for many years to come. No timetable has been revealed for when the club expects Soroka to join the rotation, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him miss the first month of the regular season.

MARCH 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Braves have eyes on the prize after just missing out in 2020

After coming up one win short of the World Series, the Atlanta Braves have only one goal in mind for 2021

MARCH 17, 2021 • Associated Press

Throwing sim game Saturday Soroka (Achilles) will throw in a simulated game Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact Soroka threw two innings during a simulated game Sunday, and he'll have another throwing session less than a week later. The right-hander has progressed well in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, but Atlanta still hasn't provided a timetable for his return.

MARCH 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Now in Chisox 'pen, Kopech makes debut after 2020 opt-out

Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White Sox

MARCH 10, 2021 • Associated Press

Throws two innings Sunday Soroka (Achilles) pitched two innings during a simulated game Sunday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact Soroka had been taking part in fielding drills to begin spring training while working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon, but he progressed in his recovery Sunday. An official said that the right-hander looked "very good" during his outing, especially for a pitcher who hasn't appeared in a game in seven months. His velocity was slightly below his average speed, but the official said that the below-average velocity was to be expected at this point in his recovery. Soroka still doesn't have a timetable to return to the starting rotation, but he's made good progress in his recovery so far.

MARCH 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Looking good in fielding drills Soroka (Achilles) has been taking part in fielding drills in camp without any issues, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "I think he's right on time with everything [the trainers] are...

Impact The right-hander's availability for Opening Day remains in question, but so far Soroka has passed every test as he completes his recovery from last year's torn Achilles tendon. Expect the team to be cautious with the 23-year-old no matter how he looks throughout camp, however. Soroka's forte is generating weak contact, not striking hitters out, so Atlanta won't want to take any risks when it comes to re-injuring himself while fielding his position.

FEBRUARY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

3-time NL East champ Braves extend manager Snitker thru 2023

Coming off a third straight NL East title, the Atlanta Braves have extended the contract of manager Brian Snitker through the 2023 season

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • Associated Press

Braves rookie CF Pache banking on postseason in bid to start

Atlanta Braves 22-year-old rookie Cristian Pache is trying to win a starting job in center field this spring

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • Associated Press

On regular schedule to begin camp Soroka (Achilles) is on his usual schedule for side sessions to begin spring training, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Per manager Brian Snitker, the rig...

Impact It's still not clear yet whether Soroka will be ready for Opening Day, and Atlanta isn't going to rush his recovery from last year's Achilles surgery, but so far the 23-year-old's progress has been smooth. The next step for Soroka will be to pitch off a mound, potentially followed by some Grapefruit League action.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Braves' Ian Anderson and spring housemate Mike Soroka: Pitching, Peaky Blinders After a successful MLB debut filling in for an injured Mike Soroka, Ian Anderson has a rotation spot secured and is ready to build off 2020.

FEBRUARY 23, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Happ beats Cubs in arbitration; teams finish with 5-4 record

Outfielder Ian Happ defeated the Chicago Cubs in baseball’s final salary arbitration case this year and will get a raise from $624,000 to $4.1 million

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 • Associated Press