Braves Ace Mike Soroka to Miss Rest of 2020 with Torn Achilles

Atlanta Braves injured pitcher Mike Soroka in 2019. Photo by Austin Mcafee/CSM/Shutterstock (10214283n)

In the third inning of Monday night’s Braves-Mets matchup, both benches fell into stunned silence after young star and Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka fell to the ground after attempting to run to first base.

After being helped off of the field in obvious pain, the team’s worst fears were confirmed: the 2019 All-Star had suffered a torn right Achilles’ tendon and will miss the rest of the season.

The non-contact injury happened as Soroka attempted to cover first base on a ground ball hit in the Braves’ Monday night loss. His Achilles’ visibly “popped” and the 22-year-old starter could do nothing but collapse in pain.

After a litany of tests was performed at Truist Park, the Braves’ doctors knew that the young star had suffered an Achilles’ tear that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Soroka’s injury is a tough blow to a Braves team that is already dealing with a shallow pitching staff. After the demotion of Mike Foltynewicz and Felix Hernandez’s opt-out of the 2020 season, only Soroka and Max Fried were left as reliable starters for the NL East leaders.

Now, with Soroka out for the rest of the season, Atlanta will have to scramble to find rotation help if they want to be competitive into October.

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