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MLB 2020: Atlanta Braves' Mike Soroka carried away after leg injury, worried fans say it's the Achilles tendon

Though fans are clueless, they hope that the injury isn't that of the Achilles as it can render him unable to play for months

It seems that coronavirus is not the only threat for some players. In Major League Baseball, Michael John Graydon Soroka of Atlanta Braves suffered an injury after falling to the ground while attempting to cover 1st base in a match on August 3. Videos of him surfaced on the internet where Soroka is seen being helped off the field as he suffered a lower right leg injury. He was playing against Mets at Trusit Park on August 3 night and was in the third inning when the incident happened.

Many were certainly concerned about him. National Baseball journalist Jared Carrabis tweeted, "f*********k. I really hope that’s not the Achilles. speedy recovery to Soroka. that sucks so bad."

Another wrote, "bruh Soroka's achilles just POPPED."

Soroka’s right leg buckled as he attempted to get off the mound after JD hit a grounder to the right side. The Brave’s ace fell to the ground and was unable to stand. He went on his knees for support as he was assisted to the dugout by manager Brian Snitker and assistant trainer Mike Frostad. 

The Canadian player is to turn 23 on August 4 and this injury is certainly not going to make the day great for him. Many are of the opinion that it would be a gut punch for the pitcher if it turns out to be an Achilles injury. As per the US National Library of Medicine, Achilles is one of the most common rupture sites. "It is in a region 3 to 6 cm above the os calcis which corresponds to a watershed region of poor vascularisation. Perfusion in this region is further compromised during stretching and contraction. With increasing age there is weakening of the tensile strength of the tendon."

The heel injury can prove to be dreadful for sportsmen if not managed properly. 

Athlete Grant McAuley tweeted, "I hate to speculate about Mike Soroka's injury, but I remember Jason Grilli's blown Achilles in 2015 and this seemed eerily similar.” In 2015, both the Atlanta Braves and MLB trade market suffered a huge blow as reliever Jason Grilli ruptured his left Achilles tendon. His season was finished thereafter. 

Others too hoped that the injury isn't that of the Achilles. Though most are clueless about the injury, others seem convinced that Soroka has ruptured his Achilles. "Some have clues, others are clueless," said one.

One said, "That’s almost definitely a torn Achilles...the way he was limping towards the dugout looked just like Wainwright when he tore his a few years ago."

Another tweeted, “100% torn achillies he looked back at his leg like someone kicked him that is first sign of it”.

Players like Zach Britton have also had an Achilles injury in the past. He ruptured his right Achilles tendon after a sprinting session in his native California in 2017 which ultimately needed surgery. Fans fear that if the injury turns out to be a bad one then Soroka may not be ready for the start of the 2021 season at the peak of his career. Some just want to call off the season after the dismaying news.

One concerned fan tweeted, "If it is an achilles rupture, he very well may not be ready for the start of the 2021 season. I feel horrible for the young kid. At least though, he still has incredibly bright future once he does recover." 

Others believe that he may not play further as Achilles usually takes a 9-15 months to recuperate. "Soroka tore his Achilles and is definitely out for over a year. Braves down 3-0 to the trash Mets. Just call off the season," tweeted a fan. 

"Just terrible. He wasn’t right even before the injury. And Ozuna needs to be a full-time DH from this point forward,” tweeted another fan on his condition.

Another said, "As a mets fan I hate to see this. Soroka is an incredible talent and I wish him a speedy recovery."

Soroka who made his debut in 2018  with the Gwinnett Stripers of the Class AAA International League was an all star in 2019. With 29 starts in the 2019 season, the player pitched to a 13-4 record, 2.68 ERA, and 142 strikeouts in 174​2⁄3 innings.