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The Atlanta Braves received some promising injury updates on Monday, as pitchers Kyle Wright and Mike Soroka continue to make steps toward a full recovery ahead of MLB's Opening Day.
“Kyle Wright is slated for three innings (approx. 45 pitches today),” wrote Braves' beat writer Mark Bowman. Wright will make his first Grapefruit League start of the spring Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“Michael Soroka will likely be targeted for two innings when he makes his spring debut on Wednesday in Lakeland,” wrote Bowman. Soroka told The Athletic he is set to make his first start on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers, which was confirmed by Bowman.
“Time for graduation,” Wright joked to Soroka at their lockers in the Braves' clubhouse Sunday morning, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. “Yeah, after a lot of day care,” Soroka said back.
It's excellent news for Braves fans, as two key starting pitchers are getting healthier ahead of Opening Day.
“It'll be nice to get back out there finally,” Wright told O'Brien on Sunday. “If everything goes as planned, three spring starts will get my pitch count up high enough to be able to go. But like I said, this one [Monday] will be the real test, to make sure everything feels good and see how I bounce back, and then I go from there. Right now, I’m still feeling good and encouraged about everything.”
“[The ball] is coming out nice,” Mike Soroka echoed, providing details of his two-inning sim game against Braves hitters. “Command was a little rough around the edges in some areas, but that’ll get cleaned up. As it went on it got better. First time really getting that hand speed really going. It kind of comes back quick. It’s fun.”
The Canadian said he was looking forward to getting back on the mound on Wednesday against the Tigers. Although his timeline probably isn't as short as Wright's, it's looking very much like both pitchers will be with the team and back to 100 percent by the end of April.
