Soroka signs with the Nationals

December 19, 2024

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Canadian right-hander Michael Soroka has signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals.

The deal was announced by Nationals’ general manager Mike Rizzo this afternoon.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but Robert Murray, of FanSided, reports that Soroka will be paid $9 million.

The Nats’ plan to use Soroka as a starter, according to multiple reports.

Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) was dealt to the Chicago White Sox by the Atlanta Braves last November. After a rough start to the 2024 season as a starter with the White Sox, he was moved to the bullpen where he excelled. In 16 relief appearances, he posted a 2.75 ERA and struck out 60 batters in 36 innings. In his final three outings, he fanned 13 of 26 batters while limiting opponents to an .083 batting average (2-for-24).

Overall, in 25 appearances (nine starts), he recorded a 4.74 ERA and had 84 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings.

A graduate of the Calgary Redbirds and Junior National Team, Soroka, who’s still only 27, was a first-round pick (28th overall) of the Braves in 2015. In 2019, he went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 29 starts to win the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Tip O’Neill Award and finish second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

Since then, however, his career has been curtailed by a series of injuries, most notably he tore his right Achilles tendon twice. He only had one stretch on the injured list (shoulder strain) in 2024 and he finished the season strong.

In total, in parts of five major league seasons, Soroka owns a 17-18 record and a 3.67 ERA in 69 appearances (52 starts). He has struck out 284 batters in 326 innings.

According to an AP Report, Soroka’s deal with the Nats includes several incentive clauses. For example, the Canuck righty can earn an additional $25,000 if he’s selected to the All-Star team and $100,000 if he wins a Cy Young Award.