Braves Young All-Star Starter Takes "Great Step" In Comeback

Recovering from his second devastating Achilles rupture in two years, promising Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Soroka could finally be on the road back to the majors. Soroka took a "great step" in his comeback with a minor league start for the High-A Rome Braves.

Mike really had the wow factor tonight.@Mike_Soroka28 | #RomeToTheShow pic.twitter.com/9Vkd9Tz49M

— Rome Braves (@TheRomeBraves) August 17, 2022

The 25-year-old tossed 4 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 8. It's the same minor league team that Soroka helped lead to a High-A championship six years ago when he was on his fast rise to the majors. 

Soroka first came up to the Show in 2018, then broke through big-time in 2019 for Atlanta, making the All-Star team with a season that featured a 13-4 record, a 2.68 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. 

Then, after just three starts in 2020, the first Achilles tear. 

Then, in 2021, the second ruptured Achilles.

“Doubt lingers, especially the second time,” Soroka told Jeff Schultz of The Athletic. “Ironically, I didn’t have too many problems trusting my Achilles the first time. The second time it’s a lot harder, right, because you’re told the first time, ‘It’s not going to happen.’ Then it does. So a lot of it is putting one foot in front of the other, quite literally.”

He'll take his next steps carefully, hopefully all the way back up to the big leagues. 

Photos: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports  , Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports