When Diamondbacks' Michael Soroka Might Return From New Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka has had a rough recent stretch in terms of health.

The right-hander, who signed on a one-year contract this offseason, was cruising through his 2026 season, until a glute strain forced him to sit out around six weeks. After finally recovering from that injury, a new issue arose, just three starts after his return.

In a last-minute roster move Sunday, Soroka was placed back on the 15-day Injured List, this time with inflammation in his throwing arm. That came just following one of his worst starts of the year, in which he gave up six earned runs and completed just 3.1 innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.

But it seems, for now, as if the Diamondbacks are reemaining optimistic about Soroka's timeline. With the rotation in a worsening state of instability, Arizona will need that to be the case as the playoffs grow closer.

When Michael Soroka could return from injury

Aug 16, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches the ball against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Manager Torey Lovullo expressed optimism that Soroka could, at least potentially, return after the minimum stint. If the injury does follow that timeline, that would allow Soroka to return to Arizona's major league roster some time around September 7.

"He's going to hopefully be ready on Day 16.," Lovullo said follwing Sunday's win over Cincinnati, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "The plan is to get him a couple days down, get him back on the bump and miss as few days as possible."

Soroka himself, meanwhile, had a similar sentiment.

“There’s always little things that arise throughout the course of the season,” Soroka told Weiner. “Sometimes things go away, sometimes they don’t. I think the other night, that line got crossed."

"I think we wanted to take a look and see how we could get through this for the rest of the season. … Initially, the hope was that we could catch something pretty early and not miss a start. But I think this gives us a very good chance to be able to come back in exactly two weeks and be as good as I can be.”

It sounds as if this issue is of a less-devastating nature, though Soroka was also optimistic about a short stint on the IL during his glute injury. That stretched on well over a month. The Diamondbacks are going to need every healthy arm possible to push for a postseason berth.

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