Braves make former All-Star's long-awaited return to MLB short-lived

Soroka had a decent outing in his first game back with the Braves, allowing four runs (all earned) on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts across six innings in a loss against the Oakland Athletics. The righty struggled in his second appearance on Sunday, surrendering five runs (all earned) on seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings pitched against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Though the Max Fried injury is crushing, Atlanta still has rising star Spencer Strider to act as their ace, with veteran two-time All-Star Charlie Morton and the majors' ERA leader in Bryce Elder -- among others -- in their starting rotation.

A former first-round pick, Soroka made the first five starts of his career in 2018, before becoming an All-Star in 2019, finishing 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 174 2/3 innings pitched across 29 starts. Soroka was the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up and finished sixth in the senior circuit's Cy Young voting.

The Canadian pitched just 13 2/3 innings in only three starts during the 2020 pandemic-shortened campaign, before tearing his right Achilles. Soroka tore the same Achilles in 2021 during his rehab and experienced more tightness around the tendon during his second rehab in 2022, which further delayed his return to MLB.

The Braves (35-24) have the best record in the National League and as long as he's healthy, Soroka should be back in the majors at some point this summer or fall.