Report: Canadian Michael Soroka signs a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks

Soroka signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals last season, starting 16 games before being traded to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. He played in just six games for Chicago, mostly out of the bullpen, as a shoulder strain during his first appearance with his new team sidelined him for more than a month and a half.

For both teams, Soroka posted a 4.52 ERA over 89 2/3 innings, pitching a 4.23 FIP, 1.126 WHIP and a 9.5 K/9, while walking walks at a 2.9 BB/9 clip. The 28-year-old ranked in the 84th percentile in xBA (.210) and produced a +7 breaking run value, which came from his trunk generating a .132 xBA, .212 wOBA, 38.2 Whiff% and a 44.0 K% while being used 34.8% of the time. Soroka also led the NL in HBP last season, throwing 15 batters.

The Canadian also pitched for the Cubs in the postseason, throwing a clean 2/3 of an inning against the Padres in the Wild Card before the Milwaukee Brewers hit him for three earned runs in his lone relief appearance in the NLDS.

Injuries have been one of the biggest derailments during his career for Soroka, who was an All-Star and Rookie of the Year finalist with the Atlanta Braves in 2019. Multiple Achilles tendon injuries requiring multiple surgeries and numerous arm ailments have limited him to just 415 2/3 innings since his big league debut in 2018.

With the Diamondbacks, Soroka will likely get a chance to start games with the recent departures of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly to free agency and with Corbin Burnes on the sidelines to start the 2026 season. Soroka will join a group that includes Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt and Bryce Jarvis on the rotation depth charts. Soroka also joins fellow countryman Mitch Bratt, who will join the MLB next season. The left-hander from Newmarket was acquired by the Dbacks from the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline.

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