After leaving his first start with biceps cramping, Michael Soroka is now headed to the IL
Just when it seemed Michael Soroka was out of the woods, the Nationals announced that he will be headed to the 15-day IL with a biceps strain.
When Soroka left the game holding his arm, many fans feared for the worst. However, the Nats said that it was just a cramp in his biceps. However, that cramp has now turned into a strain and a trip to the IL.
The IL is an all too familiar place for Michael Soroka. He missed multiple seasons with two different achilles tears, and has had some arm problems as well. Soroka missed most of the second half last year with a shoulder injury.
In his place, the Nats are recalling Jackson Rutledge. This Spring, the Nats actually converted the former first round pick to a multi-inning relief role. He was effective this Spring Training after a wild first outing.
It will be interesting to see what the Nationals do with that rotation spot. I think they will use a combination of Rutledge and Brad Lord to get through those innings, maybe with an opener before them. It is also possible that they just move Lord to the rotation and make him the fifth starter.
The rotation depth was a strength before the season, but now that is being challenged. DJ Herz is on the shelf long term with an elbow injury and now Soroka has gone down as well. The picture is now much less clear in the starting rotation.