Diamondbacks’ Michael Soroka exits with trainer after 1 inning vs. Twins

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka walked off the mound with the athletic trainer after only one inning of work in Friday’s 9-5 win against the Minnesota Twins.

Soroka came back out for the second inning, but after a warm-up pitch, he and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo called over to the dugout. Several players had not even taken their defensive positions yet when a meeting on the mound resulted in Soroka walking back to the dugout.

The Diamondbacks announced that Soroka left the game with posterior left hip discomfort, and manager Torey Lovullo clarified  postgame that Soroka was dealing with left glute discomfort.

Soroka will undergo an MRI on Saturday before the D-backs decide whether to place him on the injured list or not.

“Once you start to hear about that type of discomfort and balance, we asked him to throw a pitch, he said he didn’t feel right about doing that, we decided to get him off the field,” Lovullo said.

“I was trying to get down the mound a little bit and pick up the pace,” Soroka said. “The tempo was a little slow in the first (inning) and … I felt a grab in that left glute area. I tried to throw another pitch, but I just didn’t feel like I was going to be able to lock and rotate over it.”

Soroka added, “I don’t think it’s anything too serious. Hopefully, it will be a minimum time away.”

The Diamondbacks scrambled to get Taylor Clarke up in the bullpen and into the game. Arizona used seven relievers to piece 27 outs together.

Soroka has been a bright spot for the Diamondbacks this season with a 3.07 ERA in 15 starts.

Friday was a rough day for Diamondbacks injury news even before first pitch, as the club placed starter Ryne Nelson on the injured list with a strained and sprained right elbow. Lovullo later announced that reliever A.J. Puk was diagnosed with a sprained capsule in his shoulder.

In the eighth inning, outfielder Jordan Lawlar strained his hamstring beating out a bunt single. Lawlar will also undergo an MRI.

“It’s been brutal, I’m not gonna lie,” Lovullo said. “We’re going to try to get everybody healthy. We’re going to try to get everybody back on their feet.”

If Soroka lands on the IL alongside Nelson, the D-backs will need to come up with solutions quickly on how to fill 40% of their rotation.

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