Nationals Positioned to Add Former Braves All-Star Pitcher on $9 Million Contract

Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Michael Soroka has a new home in the NL East.

Ken Rosenthal was the first to report that Soroka had agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract with the Washington Nationals. Bob Nightengale added Soroka will be a part of the rotation.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 30: Michael Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on June 30, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Soroka spent 2024 with the Chicago White Sox and split time between the rotation and bullpen. He posted a 4.74 ERA in 25 appearances (nine starts) over the course of 79 2/3 innings.

The Nationals have spent the offseason looking for help in the rotation to complement MacKenzie Gore and Josiah Gray. Soroka's numbers weren't the best last season with the White Sox, but the goal is for him to bounce back to his old self.

Soroka is most remembered for his 2019 season in Atlanta when he had a 2.68 ERA in 174 2/3 innings. He finished sixth in the NL Cy Young voting, second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the MLB All-Star Game.

Pitching coach Jim Hickey has an opportunity to revive Soroka's career with the Nationals. Hickey has experience working with some of the best pitchers in the history of baseball, including Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt.

Soroka is currently projected to be toward the back end of the rotation. If he can return to his 2019 form, he could easily find himself as the No. 3 starter for the Nationals.

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