Mike Soroka is likely to make two more minor-league rehab starts, which would make three in all, before rejoining the Braves rotation.
The 20-year-old pitcher has been on the 10-day disabled list with a strained pitching shoulder since May 17, retroactive to May 14, the day after his last game. Soroka pitched 3-2/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts in 45 pitches in his first rehab start Friday for low Single-A Rome, and will make his next start Wednesday for Triple-A Gwinnett.
There were initial indications that Soroka might rejoin the Braves after a total of two rehab starts, but manager Brian Snitker said Monday that it was more likely the right-hander would make two more minor-league starts.
The plan is to have him five innings or 75 pitches Wednesday and then likely make another incremental progression in a third start before returning to the big-league rotation. Snitker said the Braves just want to make sure he’s “stretched out” before returning.
Soroka, the youngest pitcher in the majors, was 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in three starts before going on the DL.
“He feels good, he was bouncing around this weekend and threw a side (session),” said Snitker, adding that Soroka reported no lingering shoulder soreness in his first rehab start. “He felt like he did in spring training. He feels great.
“We just want him to get built back up, because when we start here (in the majors) it’s not training camp anymore, we want him to be able to go eight innings if he can.”
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