SURPRISE, Ariz. - Michael Soroka took the mound for the Diamondbacks in his debut against the Rangers, showcasing his skills before heading off to represent Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. With one more start lined up before his departure, Soroka is eager to build on this performance.
"Overall, I felt pretty good," Soroka shared. "I was a bit stiff at first, maybe trying too hard to get everything perfect.
But once I settled in, I made the necessary adjustments. There were some pitches I liked and others I'd rather forget, but it's all about moving forward."
After signing a one-year deal with Arizona in December, Soroka was expected to secure a spot in the starting rotation. However, with the re-signing of Zac Gallen, the competition has intensified. The situation remains fluid, especially with Merrill Kelly's back injury potentially affecting the rotation depth.
Soroka remains optimistic about his progress, especially with another start on the horizon. "I had a solid fastball in the second inning," he noted. "My finishing pitches were on point, and the cutter was particularly effective today."
The cutter, along with a newly developed sweeper, is part of Soroka's expanded six-pitch arsenal that he honed during the offseason.
"Soroka showed some impressive stuff out there," said Arizona manager Torey Lovullo. "Once he settled in, he executed some really good pitches and had a solid game plan."
Looking ahead, Zac Gallen is set to make his first Cactus League start against the Dodgers at Salt River Fields. While most starters are beginning with two-inning outings, Gallen will likely pitch just one inning as he joined camp a bit later than his teammates.
"He's exactly where he needs to be," Lovullo assured.
Additionally, Drey Jameson, who is vying for a spot in the bullpen, is also scheduled to pitch against Los Angeles, adding another layer of intrigue to the Diamondbacks' pitching dynamics.