Nationals Sign Michael Soroka to One-Year Deal

The Washington Nationals have officially signed right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka to a one-year contract worth $9 million, as reported by Robert Murray of FanSided. The deal, previously hinted at by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, brings Soroka, a client of ISE Baseball, into the Nationals' rotation for the upcoming season. With vacancies on their 40-man roster, the Nationals did not need to make any corresponding moves.

Soroka, 27, enters this offseason as one of the more intriguing free agents. He enjoyed early success as a starting pitcher, notably in 2019 when he made 29 starts and posted a 2.68 ERA over 174 2/3 innings. His standout performance included a 20.3% strikeout rate, a 5.8% walk rate, and an impressive 51.2% ground ball rate. 

However, Soroka's career trajectory was impacted by injuries, causing him to miss most of the 2020 to 2023 seasons. In 2024, Soroka initially struggled in a starting role but found his stride after transitioning to the bullpen, finishing the season on a high note. Despite this success as a reliever, the Nationals plan to give Soroka another opportunity to prove himself as a starter.