LAKELAND, Fla. — Michael Soroka’s first encounter with Miguel Cabrera came in a 2018 spring training game — back when both were a bit leaner. Soroka, just 20 and a rising prospect at the time, faced off against the legendary Tigers slugger, who was then 35 and already a two-time AL MVP and seven-time Silver Slugger winner.
“I was just getting started,” Soroka recalled. “I’m not sure how we got to a 2-2 count, but I decided to throw a four-seamer down and away — probably the hardest I’d ever thrown at that point, about 96 or 97 mph. Miguel gave me that look, like, ‘I see you trying.’” The pitch was called a ball, bringing the count full. Soroka followed with a sharp sinker on the outside corner — again hitting 96-97 — and got Cabrera looking. “He gave me a little nod, like, ‘Good pitch,’” Soroka said with a smile. “That was a dream moment — kind of the first time I believed I could really make it.”
Fast forward to 2023: Soroka, now 25, is fighting to make it back from two Achilles tears and three surgeries. Wednesday’s start against Detroit was his first of the spring after a hamstring strain delayed his ramp-up. Standing at 6-foot-5 and about 245 pounds — noticeably more muscular than in years past — Soroka looked to reclaim his form.
Facing Cabrera again, now nearing 40 and in his final MLB season, brought everything full circle. Cabrera stepped in with a runner on second and two outs in the first inning, following an unearned run on a White Sox defensive miscue. Soroka quickly retired Spencer Torkelson before facing the future Hall of Famer. On a 2-1 pitch, Soroka threw a 93.7 mph sinker inside, and Cabrera flew out routinely to right. “It was cool to relive that moment from 2018,” Soroka said. “I got him then, and kind of got him again now. It was fun.”
Though the Braves’ 5-3 win featured highlights like Orlando Arcia’s four RBIs and three-run homer, nothing was more important than Soroka’s clean bill of health. Despite some rust — 1.1 innings, three hits, two runs (one earned), one walk, one strikeout, and 36 pitches (20 strikes) — the velocity and movement were there. He even showed no hesitation fielding a swinging bunt or hustling to back up third base, something that reassured observers after his 2020 injury happened on a similar play.
“I didn’t even think about it,” Soroka said of coming off the mound. “That’s a win in itself — just getting out there and feeling good.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker was equally pleased: “I asked him how he felt when I went out there. He said, ‘Great.’ That’s exactly what we were hoping for.”
Soroka’s slider was a bit inconsistent — normal for his early spring outings — but he was encouraged by its velocity sitting at 84–86 mph. “It’s a feel pitch, and I haven’t thrown it much yet,” he said. “Seeing that velo means I’m using my legs better again.”
Soroka and Ian Anderson entered camp as top contenders for the fifth rotation spot. But after Soroka’s early hamstring strain and Anderson’s ongoing struggles (he was optioned to Triple-A), prospects Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd have emerged as front-runners. Soroka, however, showed enough Wednesday to stay firmly in the mix.
He’s expected to start again in one of the Braves’ final two Grapefruit League games next week — both against the Red Sox — before potentially heading to Triple-A Gwinnett to continue building up.
There’s no fixed timeline, but if Wednesday’s outing was any indication, Soroka is getting closer to contributing in Atlanta once again — maybe sooner than expected.
