Mike Soroka began throwing this week for the first time since being shut down with shoulder inflammation earlier this month, an encouraging sign for the young righty. But given the time it will take to build up his strength, the earliest we can expect to see him is mid-June.
Soroka started playing catch again yesterday. The Braves aren't putting a timetable on his return. He's basically starting his normal preparations again. Once he completes sides and live BPs, he'll have to make 4-5 starts. So, second half of June might be his earliest return.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 28, 2021
As Bowman notes, Soroka is effectively at the same point as if spring training was just beginning. On the plus side, assuming his shoulder and surgically-repaired Achilles cooperate as he ramps up activity, he will have the benefit of being able to face live competition with Triple-A Gwinnett once the season begins in early May. Here’s hoping Mike can get healthy and boost the Braves’ rotation upon his return.
In other news, Sean Newcomb, who has spent the last week on the IL due to a presumed COVID exposure, is expected to return on Friday as Atlanta kicks off a series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Newcomb pitched well in the early going with an absurd 54% strikeout rate and 1.69 ERA across five relief appearances.