After a stellar Spring Training, Michael Soroka‘s debut for the White Sox began about as poorly as possible. He surrendered a triple to the first batter he faced, which was followed by a single, a walk, and two more singles. It was 3-0 before Soroka had even recorded an out, but he settled down nicely to finish the outing strong.
Soroka went on to finish five innings on 77 pitches, not half bad for the way things started, only allowing three hits and one more run the rest of the day. It was finally some positive momentum, which he carried into start number two against the Royals yesterday. The Maple Maddux went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits with no walks and a couple of strikeouts.
Unfortunately, the White Sox were blown out by the Royals 10-1, something Soroka is going to have to get used to with his new squad. Chicago is one of the worst teams in the American League, but this is all about getting reps for the former Braves starter. That’s always what he needed most after so much time off, and it wasn’t going to happen in Atlanta.
Parting ways with Soroka, as difficult as it was, was best for him and the organization. If he can stay healthy, I really think he’s got a chance of finding the old version of himself, and then he’s a free agent at the end of the year.
Who knows? Perhaps there is a reunion in the cards. The Braves will certainly need more starting pitching next offseason if Max Fried exits in free agency and Charlie Morton decides to retire. I wouldn’t count it out, which is one of the many reasons I’ll be keeping a close eye on Soroka this season.
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