Braves slugger Jorge Soler returned from the COVID-19 list before Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers. Soler struck out in a pinch-hit appearance in that game Thursday.
Soler was removed from the roster Oct. 14 after testing positive for the coronavirus. The Braves defeated the Brewers in Game 4 of the NL Division Series later that day. Soler played in the first three games of that series, going 1-for-11 with a double, two walks and four strikeouts.
“I feel really bad not being with the team,” Soler said Saturday via an interpreter. “Having COVID was tough for me, for the family, for the team, so I really missed not being here. After what happened, I started wearing a mask after the fifth day and watching games and everything. But I was moving around. I was working out. I was doing a lot of running and stuff around my house with the mask on.”
Soler, who was unvaccinated, said he learned from the experience and will get the shot.
“I feel way different now,” Soler said. “I feel bad about it, and I’m going to get a shot as soon as I can.”
Braves notes:
- The Dodgers opted not to start co-ace Max Scherzer for Game 6 on Saturday after he continued to feel muscle fatigue. The team said he could start a Game 7.
“Today, the way he threw the baseball gave us a lot of confidence that he can make the start tomorrow,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.
- Braves manager Brian Snitker was happy for his son, Troy, who’s a hitting coach with the Astros. Houston defeated the Red Sox in the AL Championship Series on Friday night, earning another World Series berth. Snitker, of course, hopes he’ll soon join his son in the Fall Classic.
“That was neat,” Snitker said. “Proud of him. Got to FaceTime with him. Watched the celebration. I told him the first time, it’s not this easy, you know? It’s really hard to get there, as we’re seeing. But it’s been a great experience for him and I’m happy for him. I said, ‘I hope I can join you.’”
- The Braves’ next NL pennant will secure their 10th World Series berth in franchise history. It’s been a while, though, since their last appearance in 1999. Ten of the current 15 NL teams have won a pennant over that time. The Braves join the Padres, Pirates, Brewers and Reds as NL teams who haven’t made a World Series since 2000.
