Nationals’ Michael Soroka leaves with bicep cramps vs. Blue Jays

Michael Soroka just can’t seem to catch a break.

The Calgary native left the sixth inning of Monday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays with an apparent injury.

After the game, Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that Soroka had biceps cramps and that they removed him as a precautionary measure.“I knew that was a feeling that shouldn’t be there, and I wanted to make sure that we were smart about it,” Soroka said post-game. “As unfortunate as it is to have to leave the game and not get to compete through the sixth inning, I think it will allow me to get back out there again in five or six days.”

Soroka was making his debut with the Washington Nationals after signing in D.C. on a one-year, $9-million contract this off-season.

The 27-year-old threw an 0-2 slider to Blue Jays second baseman Andres Gimenez and immediately looked into the dugout, bringing out the Nationals trainer and Martinez. Soroka was subsequently lifted from the game after speaking with the two for a moment.

Soroka appeared to feel something in his pitching arm or hand.

An all-star in his rookie season with the Atlanta Braves, Soroka has dealt with multiple injuries since 2020. Most notably, he tore his Achilles twice.

On Monday, he allowed five hits and four runs while completing five innings. He threw 83 pitches and collected three strikeouts.

“He threw the ball really well,” Martinez said. “A couple of location misses.”

Last season with the Chicago White Sox, Soroka posted a 4.74 ERA over 79.2 innings but improved drastically after a move to the bullpen.

— With files from the Associated Press

More from Sportsnet

Shower slip knocks Dodgers’ Freeman out of lineup after hurting surgically repaired ankle

Braves place starter Reynaldo Lopez on injured list with shoulder injury