Braves Oft-Injured Starter Comes To Camp With Hamstring Issue

It's safe to say that no pitcher with so much talent has had so much bad luck over the past few years. After not being able to pitch in the majors since the 2020 season, Atlanta Braves' former top prospect Michael Soroka was finally ready to return in 2023. Unfortunately, his spring training starts with... yes, an injury. 

Thankfully, it sounds like a minor issue right now. 

Mike Soroka is dealing with hamstring tightness, manager Brian Snitker said. He reported it when he arrived to camp. The Braves are holding him out as a precaution.

— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) February 17, 2023

Braves manager Brian Snitker says Soroka reported to camp complaining of hamstring tightness, so they'll hold him out for now as a precaution. He doesn't think it's anything serious. 

Soroka finally seemed to have recovered from his twice-torn Achilles last season, and was making his way back to the majors before the end of the year—until elbow inflammation shut him down once again. 

Hopefully the young talent gets over the hamstring issue quickly, and gets to pick up where he left off in 2019, his rookie year, when he went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA and an All-Star berth. It was only three starts into his 2020 season that he first tore his Achilles, before having it happen again in 2021. 

The Canadian-born righty is still just 25, and the Braves signed him to a 1-year, $2.8M dollar deal in the offseason, holding out hope that he's finally able to resume his promising career. 

He comes into camp competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, with names like Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder.

Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports