WATCH: Braves' Soroka Says He's Open to Being in Bullpen

Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka has battled injuries for years. As the 25-year-old works his way back to the big leagues with AAA Gwinnett, he tells Fox5 in Atlanta that he's open to working in the bullpen.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka has battled injuries for the last three years but as he works his way back to the major leagues, he says he's willing to work in the bullpen, if that's what it takes.

"If it means coming in for long relief, ot it means closing a game, I'm all in."
Interesting -- caught up with Mike Soroka, who says he's going to get some work with the @GoStripers out of the bullpen this year.
Could be path back to the Braves; but doesn't sound like Plan A pic.twitter.com/YYAvevUDGZ

— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) March 31, 2023

Soroka told Fox5 in Atlanta that he wants to get back to the big leagues and if the bullpen is a way to do that, he'd be open to it.

He will make his first start for AAA Gwinnett on Tuesday. He added that he'll stick with 3-4 innings appearances for now but doesn't know how long that plan will last for.

While he's enthusiastic about possibly helping the Braves in the 'pen as a way to get back to Atlanta, he says everyone agrees that being one of the last arms in the 'pen isn't the best thing for his development.

Soroka, 25, burst on the scene in 2018, making his debut at the age of 20, going 2-1 in five starts. In 2021, at the age of 21, he went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA. He made the all-star team and finished sixth in National League Cy Young voting. 

But since then, it's been a disaster. He made three starts in 2020 before tearing his Achilles' tendon. He then suffered a re-tear of the tendon in 2021 and is working his way back now.

If Soroka can contribute to the Braves this season, that would be another huge boon to a rotation that already features stalwarts like Max Fried (currently injured), Spencer Strider and Charlie Morton.

The Braves play the Nationals on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. ET.