Soroka Exits Early but Stays Healthy as Nats Lose to Astros

Soroka’s Short Start and the Implications for the Washington Nationals

In a game that saw the Washington Nationals fall 7-4 to the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, the focus wasn’t on the loss itself but rather on the health of Michael Soroka. The right-hander left the game unscathed, which was the primary concern for the team.

Soroka pitched just 3⅓ innings, throwing 74 pitches — both season lows. He struggled with his command, as only 21 percent of his breaking balls were in the strike zone. In the fourth inning, he allowed a solo home run to Yainer Diaz, which tied the game. After that, interim manager Miguel Cairo made the decision to pull him from the game, citing concerns about his performance.

“I don’t think he was that crisp,” Cairo said. “I made the decision to bring someone else from the bullpen. It was a battle. He was trying to keep his composure and navigate through those innings. But sometimes, it goes like that.”

The short outing is not entirely unexpected, given the circumstances surrounding Soroka and other players on the Nationals’ roster. Both Soroka and closer Kyle Finnegan are on expiring contracts, making them prime candidates for trade before the deadline. Other players, such as veteran hitters Josh Bell and Nathaniel Lowe or outfielders Alex Call and Jacob Young, could also be moved. Relievers on one-year deals might also be available for the right price.

Soroka, who signed a one-year, $9 million deal this offseason, has been working to rebuild his career. Last year, while with the Chicago White Sox, he found success as a reliever by altering his pitch mix and delivery. The Nationals gave him another chance to start, applying what he learned from that experience.

However, Soroka’s time with Washington hasn’t been without challenges. He suffered right bicep cramps during his first start in Toronto and missed over a month. His results have been mixed, with a 4.87 ERA in 16 starts. Despite that, his walk and hit per inning pitched (WHIP) is 1.13, which is his best since 2019. His breaking ball has been effective, but his fastball velocity has been a concern, peaking at 92.8 mph Tuesday, below his season average of 93.7 mph.

Despite the struggles, Soroka remains optimistic. When asked about the trade deadline, he said, “A little bit. Dealing with stuff like this, the velocity I’m trying to find, has kept me in the day to day. Worry about what I can do today to be better for tomorrow.”

The Nationals have given Soroka a shot at redemption, and while his current numbers may not impress contenders, his expected stats suggest he could benefit from a stronger defense. If traded, Soroka could become a long reliever in the playoffs. If he stays, the team could turn a bounce-back candidate into a controllable player for the future.

“Wherever it may be, point at the mound — I’ll go throw,” Soroka said. “The Nationals have done really well by me. It’s been fun, and whatever happens, happens. But it’s a good place, a lot of good guys. Ready for whatever comes next.”

Key Moments from the Game

The game featured several key moments that contributed to the Nationals’ loss. In the first inning, Soroka hit Christian Walker with a pitch, leading to an early lead for the Astros. Cam Smith then hit a double down the right field line, giving Houston an early advantage.

Luis García Jr. hit a changeup at his shins in the third inning, resulting in a two-run homer that put Washington ahead. However, the Astros quickly responded. In the fourth inning, Yainer Diaz tied the game with a solo home run. After Soroka exited, the Astros continued their offensive surge, with Cooper Hummel hitting an RBI single in the fifth inning to take a 3-2 lead.

Jose Altuve added another RBI in the sixth inning, and Christian Walker later hit a two-run single to extend the lead. On the other side, the Nationals' young bats showed promise in the later innings. James Wood had an RBI single in the seventh, though he struck out three times. Daylen Lile added an RBI double in the eighth, and CJ Abrams went 3 for 4 with three stolen bases.

Soroka acknowledged his performance, saying, “Obviously I wish I could have extended a little bit further and we didn’t need to get the bullpen in there as early.” He admitted it was on him to be more consistent early in the game.

Additional Notes

Dylan Crews made his first rehab appearance since suffering an oblique strain in May, playing four innings in right field for Class AAA Rochester. He grounded out in his first at-bat and was hit by a pitch in his second trip to the plate but remained in the game and scored.