Braves' Mike Soroka needs exploratory surgery on injured Achilles

Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Soroka has encountered another setback in his recovery from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered last August. This one is more worrisome than the reported shoulder inflammation he encountered in April that was set to keep him out through at least the start of June. 

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN) and the MLB website, Soroka will undergo exploratory surgery next week after he reported discomfort in his Achilles and had an MRI. He's understandably now out indefinitely pending the results of the procedure. 

Soroka was the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year runner-up after he posted a 13-4 record with a 2.68 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. However, he went down to the torn Achilles on Aug. 3, 2020, when he was making just his third start of the pandemic-shortened campaign and hasn't pitched since. 

"I hate it for the kid," Braves manager Brian Snitker lamented ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Toronto Blue Jays. "He's worked so hard and come so far and is so dedicated to get it back. I hate it for him personally to have this setback. And we won't know until after the surgeon goes in and sees exactly what's going on."

Soroka turns only 24 years old in August, so logic suggests the Braves will proceed with caution regarding his status.