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Michael Soroka Declines his 2027 Player Option
Arizona Diamondbacks veteran right-hander Michael Soroka declined his end of a $10 million mutual option for the 2027 season to make himself a free agent this winter, a source told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. The 29-year-old is looking to cash in on his solid season with the Di-backs in 2026 after recording a 3.41 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched. Arizona signed him to a deal last December that included a $6.5 million base salary, and he ended up making another $1.35 million in performance-based bonuses. The one-year deal included a mutual option for next year with a $1 million buyout. Piecoro writes that the Diamondbacks are expected to be interested in re-signing Soroka, but that they will likely be priced out of his market. The team already has more than $170 million forecast for next season and is expected to reduce its payroll from last year's $200 million-plus figure. Additionally, Arizona already has five capable starting pitchers in Corbin Burnes, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Merrill Kelly, and Ryne Nelson. Soroka did most of his damage in 2026 in the first half of the season, going 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA, 79 strikeouts, and only 17 walks in 82 innings in 15 starts before the All-Star break.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Corbin Burnes Not Dealing With New Shoulder Injury
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes said his shoulder was simply tired from all of his rehab throwing, and he is not dealing with a new injury, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Burnes thinks that he will be fine this offseason after some rest. The Diamondbacks placed the 31-year-old veteran on the 15-day injured list to close out the 2026 regular season, but it was apparently fatigue-related and not a new shoulder injury. The former National League Cy Young winner ended up making only three starts for the Snakes this year. After returning from Tommy John surgery, Burnes dealt with a teres major injury in his right shoulder that delayed him. Burnes then allowed nine earned runs on 12 hits (five home runs) while walking four and striking out eight in 10 1/3 innings when he returned to Arizona's starting rotation, so he was not very sharp. With a full offseason to recover and build up his arm, Burnes will have clear bounce-back potential, but it is reasonable to be skeptical that he will be able to return to his ace form in fantasy.
Source: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
Source: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
Corbin Burnes Gets Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Friday. Burnes was expected to make his final start of the season on Sunday, but instead, he'll go to the shelf due to right shoulder inflammation. Burnes only made three starts this season as he missed most of the year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He was lit up for a 7.84 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across his 10.1 innings of work this season. The D-Backs still have a chance to make the postseason, so there's a chance that Burnes can contribute in October. His regular season is over, and it's unclear what exactly fantasy managers should expect out of Burnes next season.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Ryne Nelson Back From the 60-Day Injured List
The Arizona Diamondbacks are activating right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and will designate right-hander Derek Law for assignment in a corresponding move, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. It is good news for a Diamondbacks team chasing the final wild-card spot in the National League down the stretch, although Nelson will be returning to a relief role out of the bullpen after missing the last three months with a strained right elbow. He allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings during two minor-league rehab outings for Triple-A Reno, striking out four and walking none. The 28-year-old former second-rounder in 2019 from Oregon has gone 3-5 this year with a 4.97 ERA (5.39 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 1/3 innings pitched across his 15 starts in his fifth year in the majors. Nelson is not going to have any real fantasy value in the final week and a half of action as a reliever.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Michael Soroka Set to Rejoin Diamondbacks Rotation on Tuesday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka will rejoin the team's rotation on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins, per Jack Sommers of Sports Illustrated. After suffering a shoulder injury that forced him onto the injured list in mid-August, Soroka worked out of the bullpen in his return from the IL on Wednesday. However, Sommers reports that Arizona is moving veteran right-hander Zac Gallen to the bullpen to accommodate Soroka's return to the rotation. Soroka has been effective when healthy this season, recording an 8-5 record with a 3.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts across 99 1/3 innings (18 starts). The 29-year-old has posted a respectable 23.1% strikeout rate with an excellent 6.1% walk rate. Now that he's back to working as a starting pitcher, Soroka profiles as a quality innings-eater for deep-league fantasy managers.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jack Sommers
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jack Sommers
Michael Soroka Activated on Wednesday
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his team's game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The 29-year-old had been sidelined by a shoulder injury since August 22. Soroka has pitched well when healthy this season, entering play on Wednesday with an 8-4 record, 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts across 95 1/3 innings (18 starts). However, Soroka was used out of the bullpen on Wednesday and may not work as a traditional starter down the stretch of the season. With Arizona battling tooth and nail for a Wild Card spot in the National League, the team may be looking to build him back up to a full starter's workload at the big-league level. If/when Soroka rejoins the Diamondbacks starting rotation, he profiles as a quality starting pitcher option for fantasy managers down the stretch.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Zac Gallen Reinstated and Starting on Wednesday Against Royals
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that they reinstated right-hander Zac Gallen (elbow) from the 60-day injured list, and he will make his return to the starting rotation for Wednesday's matchup on the road against the hosting Kansas City Royals. The 31-year-old veteran will rejoin the big-league roster as the D-backs continue their push for the final wild-card spot in the National League over the final few weeks of the regular season. Gallen has been sidelined for the last two months due to inflammation in his right elbow, and although the matchup is a tasty one in KC in his return, fantasy managers will not be running to the waiver wire to pick him up to start him on Wednesday. Before going on the IL, Gallen was struggling in 2026 for the Snakes, going 3-9 with a career-worst 6.34 ERA (5.31 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 31 walks in 98 innings across 19 starts in his eighth year in the majors. Despite his return to the big-league roster, Gallen is currently rostered in only 27% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Corbin Burnes Confirmed to Make his Return on Tuesday
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed on Monday that right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals on the road, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. Burnes will rejoin Arizona's starting rotation with several weeks remaining in the regular season as they continue their push for the final spot in the National League wild-card standings. The four-time All-Star only made 11 starts in his first year with the D-backs in 2025 before being shut down due to right-elbow issues, going 3-2 with a 2.66 ERA (3.94 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 26 walks in 64 1/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers should be tempering expectations for Burnes as he returns from Tommy John surgery, but the Snakes are hoping the former ace can help push them over the top and into the postseason. The 31-year-old threw 53 pitches in his last minor-league rehab start on the farm last week, and although he could be somewhat limited from a pitch-count perspective on Tuesday, the matchup against KC is enticing. Burnes is available in 70% of Yahoo leagues as he nears his return to Arizona.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Corbin Burnes Expected to Make Long-Awaited Return on Tuesday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) is expected to make his return to the team's starting rotation on Tuesday in Kansas City against the Royals, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. It will be Burnes' first appearance back in the big leagues since he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last June. The 31-year-old veteran had a setback this June, delaying his 2026 debut until the final month of the regular season. It could be a nice jolt of energy for the D-backs as they seek to claim the final wild-card spot in the National League over the next several weeks, but from a fantasy perspective, managers should not be expecting much from Burnes, who will most likely be on a strict pitch count in his return next week in his first big-league game in over 15 months. The four-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner has been a fantasy ace in the past, but he will only be afforded a few starts to close out the fantasy season. In 11 starts in 2025 before going under the knife, Burnes had a 2.66 ERA (3.94 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP for the Snakes with 63 strikeouts and 26 walks in 64 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Michael Soroka to Pitch in Sim Game on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (shoulder) will pitch in a simulated game on Friday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Soroka is scheduled to go four innings and/or 60 pitches in the outing, and he could be an option to return from the 15-day injured list next week during the team's series in Kansas City against the Royals. The 29-year-old Canadian could end up spending the minimum of 15 days on the IL after landing on the shelf last week with inflammation in his right shoulder. The D-backs are right in the thick of the hunt for the final wild-card spot in the National League, so getting Soroka back as a starter down the stretch could be huge. He has had a resurgent 2026 season in the desert for the Snakes, going 8-4 with a 3.40 ERA (2.95 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 24 walks in 95 1/3 frames across his 18 starts in his seventh year in the majors. Soroka has only made three starts since the All-Star break due to injuries, though, and he has posted a 5.40 ERA with seven walks and 12 K's in 13 1/3 innings over those three starts. He could be a sneaky streaming option in the last few weeks of 2026.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Diamondbacks Hoping Michael Soroka's IL Stint Won't be Long
The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-hander Michael Soroka (arm) back on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with inflammation in his right arm, but the team is hopeful he'll be ready to return to their starting rotation when he's eligible, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "He's going to hopefully be ready on Day 16. The plan is to get him a couple days down, get him back on the bump and miss as few days as possible," manager Torey Lovullo said. The move to put the 29-year-old back on the IL came after Soroka surrendered six runs and three walks in 3 1/3 innings pitched in his start on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. It is frustrating for fantasy managers after Soroka already missed two months with a glute injury, but the good news is he will be back to close out the 2026 campaign in September. In his three starts since returning from his glute injury on Aug. 10, Soroka allowed eight earned runs on 15 hits while walking seven and striking out 12 in 13 1/3 innings. Soroka was having a resurgent 2026 season before his glute injury in Arizona, and he is now 8-4 with a 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 91:24 K:BB in 95 1/3 frames across 18 starts.
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Brandon Pfaadt Remains a High-End Starting Pitcher Streamer
After a rough start to the season, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt was moved from the starting rotation into a bullpen role in mid-April. However, Pfaadt pitched well out of the pen and has kept up his strong production since being moved back into the rotation in late June. Across his last 60 1/3 innings (10 starts), the 27-year-old has recorded a 7-0 record with a 1.79 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts. Pfaadt's fantasy upside is limited by his lack of strikeouts, as he's posted just a 17.1% strikeout rate for the season and owns a 21.1% strikeout rate for his career. He's also likely benefited from some batted-ball luck, as his .261 opponent batting average on balls in play in 2026 is significantly below his career mark of .305. Still, Pfaadt's numbers since rejoining the Diamondbacks rotation are hard to ignore. At the very least, he should be viewed as a high-end starting pitcher streamer in leagues where he's available on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Soroka Officially Returning on Monday
The Arizona Diamondbacks officially announced that right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) will come off the 15-day injured list to start on Monday against the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Chase Field, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Soroka will be returning to Arizona's starting rotation for the first time since June 20 after recovering from a strained left glute muscle. In his lone minor-league rehab start last Tuesday with Triple-A Reno, the 29-year-old went four innings and threw 57 pitches, allowing an earned run with two walks and a strikeout. The matchup against Colorado away from hitter-friendly Coors Field is definitely enticing, but Soroka will come with much more risk after his long layoff, and it would not be surprising if he doesn't go deep enough to qualify for a quality start on Monday in the desert. However, Soroka could be a difference-maker for rotation depth in fantasy leagues the rest of the way if he can return to his pre-injury form from 2026. In a bounce-back campaign, he has a 3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts in his 82 innings pitched for the D-backs.
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Michael Soroka Expected to Return on Monday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) threw four innings and 57 pitches for Triple-A Reno in a minor-league rehab game on Aug. 4, and he's expected to come off the 10-day injured list to start on Monday, Aug. 10, against the division-rival Colorado Rockies at home, according to MLB.com. Soroka has been sidelined since June 20 with a left-glute strain, but now that he's on the verge of a return, fantasy managers looking for rotation help should look his way. If the 29-year-old Canadian can return to his pre-injury form from this year, he'll be a real asset down the stretch for fantasy managers. In his 15 starts (82 innings pitched) in his first year in the desert, Soroka went 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA (2.92 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks for the Snakes. In back-to-back starts against the Rockies (one at home, one on the road) on May 17 and May 22, Soroka allowed only three earned runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out 10 in 11 2/3 innings with one win. He'll be very tempting in starting fantasy lineups in his return to start next week in Arizona against Colorado.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Pfaadt Continues Hot Stretch on the Mound
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt has been unbelievable on the mound lately. Since being recalled on June 30, Pfaadt owns a 1.55 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 40 2/3 innings across seven starts. He has quietly been excellent on the mound and deserves to be rostered in more fantasy leagues going forward. Overall this season, Pfaadt owns a 3.66 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 52:22 K:BB across 20 games (10 starts) with the Diamondbacks. He's currently slated to take the ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. Fantasy managers seeking pitching help should consider adding Pfaadt ahead of that start.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
