Braves starter Mike Soroka was hit in the right forearm by a pitch during his at-bat in the third inning of Sunday’s game in Washington, forcing him out after six outs.
His removal was a precautionary measure, the Braves announced shortly after the third inning concluded.
The X-rays came back negative and the parties believe they avoided any serious concern. Soroka had his forearm wrapped after the game and described it as “just a bruise.”
“It feels like getting hit by a pitch,” Soroka said. “I’ve been hit with enough (hockey) pucks and baseballs in my lifetime to know what’s going to be the aftermath of getting hit. ... Good news is, the inflammation's going to get out of there and hopefully I’ll be in line for my next start.”
Soroka was visibly frustrated when he plucked by Austin Voth, slamming his bat down before taking first base. The frustration wasn’t pointed at Voth, Soroka said, but more so that he figured it’d end his day.
Soroka finished after 21 pitches (16 strikes) in a scoreless game. Manager Brian Snitker said it was an easy decision to remove Soroka, who the team doesn’t want to push given it’s his first full major-league season.
The Braves need a starter for Thursday in Chicago after demoting Mike Foltynewicz, but Snitker ruled out the possibility of Soroka returning to fill that spot. His next turn would be Friday.
“It’s very frustrating,” Soroka said of his shortened outing. “But we could sit here and point fingers and be mad, but reality is, next time I have to make up innings, throw a couple (complete games), why not?”
When the bottom of the frame began, Josh Tomlin took the mound in relief. He pitched four innings, a vital performance in what ended as a, 4-3, Braves win in 10 innings.
