The free-agent market might be crawling at a snail’s pace, but there’s finally some movement for one former Atlanta Braves standout. The man who once had Braves fans cheering — and then wringing their hands in frustration over injuries — has found a fresh start.
Mike Soroka is heading to the nation’s capital, signing a one-year, $9 million deal with the Washington Nationals. This news was broken by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and backed up by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
This move gives Soroka a new chance to rebuild a career that’s seen both incredible highs and frustrating lows.
Soroka With The Atlanta Braves
Soroka was a first-round pick by the Braves in the 2015 MLB Draft and quickly made a name for himself. Remember his 2019 All-Star season? The guy was lights out.
He put up a sparkling 2.68 ERA over 29 starts and looked like the ace Atlanta had been dreaming of. But, as baseball fans know all too well, dreams can quickly turn into nightmares.
From 2020 to 2022, injuries torpedoed Soroka’s momentum. Achilles injuries had him spending more time rehabbing than pitching. He finally made his way back to the big leagues in 2024, pitching for the Chicago White Sox. It wasn’t the triumphant return everyone hoped for unfortunately.
In 25 appearances, including nine starts, Soroka’s numbers were a bit of a mixed bag. A 4.74 ERA, an 84-to-44 strikeout-to-walk ratio in just under 80 innings, and an eye-popping 0-10 record. Yeah, that last stat doesn’t look pretty on paper.
Soroka Gets Another Chance in Washington
But here’s the thing about baseball: it’s all about second, third, and sometimes fourth chances. And Soroka is still just 26 years old. The Nationals are giving him a one-year, $9 million “prove-it” deal, which means the ball is now in his court — or, well, on his mound.
Washington’s taking a reasonable gamble here, and they were not the only ones interested. If Soroka can recapture even a glimpse of his 2019 form, they’ll have themselves a bargain. If not, well, it’s just a one-year deal. Low risk, with the potential for high reward.
Let’s not forget the Nationals are in full-on rebuild mode. They need arms, they need upside, and they need to take some calculated risks. Soroka checks all those boxes. Maybe a change of scenery, a new clubhouse, and the chance to prove the doubters wrong is what this guy needs.
Soroka’s story is one of perseverance. The kind that makes you root for him, even if you’re not a Nationals fan. Can he shake off the injury bug and give D.C. a taste of that 2019 magic?
Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: baseball loves a comeback story. And Mike Soroka’s journey is far from over.
