Diamondbacks notes: Michael Soroka resumes throwing and could have ‘fast turnaround’

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka was scheduled to get back on the mound for a bullpen session on Tuesday, his first since suffering a left glute strain on June 19.

Arizona put Soroka on the injured list, but with the injury being lower body, the plan was for him to keep working on his range of motion to prepare for a quick turnaround.

Without providing any guarantees, manager Torey Lovullo said he hopes Soroka could return before the All-Star break, which starts on July 13.

“The fact that he got on the mound is a very encouraging sign,” Lovullo said. “We feel like it could be a very fast turnaround as long as he keeps progressing the way that he has been and the glute has been minimized. The situation has been minimized and that’s a very encouraging sign.”

Lovullo said Soroka will be on a Tuesday-Friday or Saturday bullpen schedule, and the team will evaluate from there.

Soroka will be eligible to return from the IL with about a week left until the All-Star break. Lovullo initially said he hoped Soroka could be back before a four-to-six weeks timeline that he had been given. Four weeks from the injury lands just after the break.

“I’d have him starting in four days if I could, if it was my decision, but I know it’s impossible,” Lovullo said when asked how many bullpens Soroka needs before facing hitters.

The Diamondbacks are in a critical juncture of their season, as the trade deadline is a month away (Aug. 3) and they have to play well enough to give the front office and ownership confidence to buy. Soroka has been one of the best not only pitchers but players on the roster with a 3.07 ERA in 15 starts.

Soroka is also on a one-year contract, meaning he could either be a reason why the D-backs buy or one of their most intriguing sell options if the team cannot put it together.

Diamondbacks injury notes

• Catcher James McCann (groin) took live at-bats on Tuesday. Lovullo said McCann is expected to go on a rehab start in Triple-A Reno by the end of the week.
• Pitcher Corbin Burnes will get re-imaged in the first or second week of July.
• Catcher Gabriel Moreno continues to nurse a sore lower half, which has prevented him from running full speed. Lovullo said Moreno is feeling better, but he still has permission to take it easy on the bases. “It’s slowly progressing, we’re going to talk about the next schedule, what that looks like and hopefully he can get a little bit more aggressive on the bases without worrying about what it’s going to do to his lower half,” Lovullo said.

Related

Ildemaro Vargas walks off Athletics in extra innings, Diamondbacks move into tie for wild card spotDiamondbacks top pick Ryder Helfrick gets major league preview: ‘It was unreal’Diamondbacks RHP Drey Jameson to injured list with hip issueCorbin Carroll expected back in Diamondbacks lineup Tuesday vs. AthleticsKohl Drake to make MLB debut for Diamondbacks Tuesday vs. A’sDiamondbacks disappoint by following historic comeback with loss to struggling Athletics