Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker and a trainer help pitcher Mike Soroka off the field with an apparent injury, during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Mets, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)The Canadian Press
The Atlanta Braves lost pitching ace Mike Soroka for the season with a torn right Achilles tendon on Monday.
Soroka was injured in the third inning of the 7-2 loss to the visiting New York Mets. The 22-year-old right-hander tumbled to the ground while heading to cover first base on an infield grounder.
“When I went out there, he knew it was that,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s just one of those awkward steps. It’s a fluke thing that happens. I’m sorry that it did.”
Soroka was 0-1 with a 3.95 ERA in three starts.
He emerged as one of the most promising young pitchers in the National League in 2019 when he went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 29 starts.
Soroka’s loss puts further strain on a young Atlanta rotation.
“Somebody is going to get an opportunity,” Snitker said. “The guys will regroup and someone will get an opportunity to do something really good.”