Braves starter Mike Soroka re-ruptures Achilles

The Atlanta Braves have announced that right-handed pitcher Mike Soroka tore his right Achilles again on Thursday. The injury occurred while the 23-year-old was walking to the home clubhouse at Truist Park. An MRI confirmed a complete re-tear, which will require season-ending surgery.

This is absolutely brutal news for the Braves and their young pitcher, who was drafted with the 28th selection in the 2015 MLB Draft.

Soroka appeared in just five games in 2018 before missing the second half of the season with a right shoulder injury. He pitched all of 2019, going 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and .236 OBA over 29 starts. He walked 41 batters while striking out 142. Then, after just three starts in 2020, Soroka tore his Achilles. He hasn’t pitched since then.

The Calgary native also has a career postseason appearance under his belt. He made one start in the 2019 NLDS, allowing just one run on two hits. He stuck out seven batters and did not walk anyone in the process.

Soroka has battled back from injury numerous times, so he evidently won’t go down without a fight. However, there is clear data that poses a grim outlook for Soroka after he recovers.

A 2018 study found “that patients with an Achilles tendon re-rupture had continued symptoms and functional deficits on the injured side, after a long-term follow-up. Patients with an Achilles tendon re-rupture had worse patient-reported outcomes but similar or superior functional results compared with patients with primary ruptures.”

Soroka’s minor league accolades include 2015 Baseball America Rookie All-Star, 2017 Futures Game selection, and two Minor League Mid-Season All-Star selections.

In the majors, he was named to the 2019 National League All-Star Team. That same season, he was also a member of the All-MLB Second Team and Baseball America Major League All-Rookie Team.