The Atlanta Braves have already had one major upgrade to their roster from within. Ronald Acuna Jr. returned from the Injured List due to a torn ACL suffered last year and has made a dramatic impact upon their lineup.
They are hoping for the same sort of impact once Mike Soroka is able to return. He is throwing off the mound and is expected to progress to starting defensive drills soon. Right now, he remains on track to return around the All Star Break.
Atlanta Braves hoping that Mike Soroka can be the answer in the rotation
It is worth noting that the Braves plan on using Soroka as a starter once he returns. In theory, he could return as a reliever, making his way back to the Braves even quicker. He would just need to worry about proving that he is healthy without having to build up his pitch counts.
The problem is that the Braves need Soroka back in the rotation. Charlie Morton has begun to show his age in the early going of the season while Ian Anderson remains inconsistent. Four different pitchers have attempted to claim the fifth starter role and have failed. Soroka, even if he is approximately two months away, could be the answer.
His performance prior to being injured would indicate that is the case. Soroka was an All Star as a rookie in 2019, finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year ballot and sixth in the Cy Young vote. However, he tore his Achillies just three starts into the 2020 season and has not returned to the mound since as he tore his Achillies once again walking into the Braves clubhouse last year.
While it would be foolhardy to expect that he will immediately return to the same form he showed before, Soroka should still be an upgrade. He is also just 24 years old, and has plenty of time to resume what had been a very promising career until it was derailed by injury. That time could begin around the All Star Break.
Mike Soroka is still on track with his rehab. The Atlanta Braves could get yet another major upgrade from within in their quest to return to the postseason.