Michael Soroka's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Washington Nationals have signed right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka. Soroka spent last season pitching for the Chicago White Sox and operated as both a reliever and a starter. Across 79 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander held a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with an 0-10 record. However across 7 1/3 innings of relief in September, he held a perfect 0.00 ERA with a stellar 0.55 WHIP. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to how the Nationals plan to deploy Soroka as he flashed decent upside when operating out of the bullpen. If he does find a permanent spot in the bullpen, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role given the lack of proven options in the Nationals bullpen with Kyle Finnegan currently testing free agency.

Most teams interested in free-agent right-hander Michael Soroka prefer him as a back-end starting pitcher with front-line potential and not as a reliever despite his better numbers in a relief role with the Chicago White Sox in 2024, according to league sources. The 27-year-old finished as the runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year in 2019 with the Atlanta Braves. But since then, Soroka tore his right Achilles tendon twice and threw only 46 innings from 2020 to 2023. Between the rotation and bullpen in 2024 with the White Sox, he posted a 4.74 ERA in 79 2/3 innings. Soroka had a 6.39 ERA with 24 K's and 24 walks in 43 2/3 innings as a starter but posted a 2.75 ERA with 60 K's and 20 walks in 36 innings of relief. The difference was his heavy reliance on his four-seam fastball as a reliever. If he continues that usage and earns a starting role somewhere, he could be a sleeper to watch in fantasy.

Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (groin) and right-hander Michael Soroka (shoulder) started their minor-league rehab assignments at Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday night, according to the team. Moncada will be restarting his rehab assignment after suffering a setback after five games in early July. The 29-year-old Cuban last played with the White Sox in early April, so he's at least going to need a handful of games on the farm to get his timing back. Moncada will probably be eased back in at third base when he returns in September, making him pretty unattractive in mixed fantasy leagues while playing for the worst team in baseball. Soroka should also be left to the waiver wire in most formats upon his return. The 27-year-old has been out since the All-Star break with a strained right shoulder and didn't look any good earlier this year in Chicago's rotation.