WASHINGTON — Right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka has reached an agreement with the Washington Nationals on a one-year contract worth $9 million for the 2025 season. This deal comes as the Nationals seek to bolster their pitching staff during an ongoing rebuilding phase. They are hopeful that Soroka can return to the impressive form he showcased prior to suffering two significant leg injuries.
At 27 years old, Soroka faced struggles last season, finishing with an 0-10 record and a 4.74 ERA over 79 2/3 innings in 25 games, which included nine starts, while playing for the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox had a challenging season overall, concluding with a dismal 41-121 record, a performance that set a new low for losses in a single season in modern Major League Baseball history.
Soroka’s signing marks the first significant move made by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo this offseason. The team’s performance in 2023 mimics their previous year, as they ended with a 71-91 record, marking their fifth consecutive losing season since their triumph in the 2019 World Series. Currently, there are no remaining players on the Nationals roster from that championship-winning team.
Back in 2019, Soroka had an exceptional season with the Atlanta Braves, where he posted a record of 13-4 and an impressive 2.68 ERA, firmly establishing his place as a standout pitcher. He was recognized for his talents, finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting and sixth in the race for the NL Cy Young Award.
However, his career hit a significant setback during his third start of the 2020 season when he tore his right Achilles tendon while performing a standard fielding task. After undergoing surgery and enduring a nine-month rehabilitation period, he unfortunately re-injured the same tendon while casually walking into the Braves’ stadium.
As a result, Soroka missed the entire 2021 and 2022 seasons. Last year, he returned to the mound but struggled, ending with a 2-2 record and a 6.40 ERA in seven appearances, six of which were as a starter. His journey took another turn when the Braves traded him to the White Sox in November 2023 as part of a five-player trade that involved left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer moving to Chicago.
Soroka’s contract with the Nationals includes a range of incentives, such as $25,000 for an All-Star selection, bonuses for various awards like league MVP and Cy Young, and rewards for being recognized as the World Series MVP, League Championship MVP, Comeback Player of the Year, and awards such as Gold Glove and Silver Slugger.
