Another blow to Diamondbacks: Michael Soroka going back on injured list

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks placed starting pitcher Michael Soroka back on the injured list three starts after he returned from a nearly two-month absence.

Soroka is dealing with right shoulder inflammation, MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert first reported on Sunday.

The club announced that it placed Soroka on the 15-day IL with “right arm inflammation,” while reliever Gerardo Carrillo was recalled. Carrillo arrived in time for the game.

The Diamondbacks’ rotation depth has been thinned out since late June, and while Zac Gallen, Corbin Burnes and Ryne Nelson are making progress in their respective injury returns, none of the three is stretched out at this point.

Gallen threw two innings and 35 pitches on Thursday, Burnes will throw two innings and 35 pitches on Tuesday and Nelson just began throwing bullpens.

Soroka was out from June 20 until Aug. 10 with a glute strain. The injury halted what was Soroka’s best season since he broke out as a rookie in 2019, an unfortunate theme of his career.

The right-hander tossed 10 innings with two earned runs over his first two starts back, but his command was not sharp on Saturday. Six earned runs scored off him, and the shoulder issue might be an explanation for his trouble locating.

Soroka owns a 3.40 ERA in 18 starts this season.

The Diamondbacks’ healthy starters are Mitch Bratt, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Eduardo Rodriguez (in order, starting on Sunday).

The depth given all of Arizona’s injuries includes Triple-A pitchers Jose Cabrera and Kohl Drake, who have made four starts each in the major leagues. They both own ERAs north of 8.00 in August, with Drake relenting more walks than strikeouts and Cabrera simply getting hit around.

Tommy Henry has more major league experience but is not on the 40-man roster.

Veteran starters who have been recently released include Michael Lorenzen and Miles Mikolas, both of whom have performed very poorly leading to their respective oustings.

The D-backs have a 40-man spot open from designating Zack Littell for assignment. Ironocally, Littell has been a starter or bulk-innings eater throughout this season in Washington and Arizona, but his recent struggles led to a roster change.

The Diamondbacks failed to add starting pitching at the trade deadline earlier this month, which general manager Mike Hazen continues to beat himself up over.

The only saving grace was that the club expected to get reinforcements off the injured list.

Soroka getting hurt again is a significant setback for a team fighting to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2023.

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