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Mike Soroka to make first start for Braves since 2020

Dansby Swanson #7 and Rafael Ortega #18 of the Atlanta Braves celebrate after scoring the go-ahead runs against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning in Game 3 of the National League Division Series (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Adam Duvall reacts rounding first base hitting the game winning 2-RBI double to take a 3-1 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals during the 8th inning in game 3 of the NLDS on Sunday, October, 6, 2019, in St. Louis. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta Braves Mike Soroka gives a look at first base, where St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna takes a lead off, during Game 3 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Sunday, October 6, 2019. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (40) allowed one hit, one run and four strikeouts in the first 3 innings of play, during Game 3 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Sunday, October 6, 2019. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Adam Duvall hits the game winning 2-RBI double to take a 3-1 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals during the 8th inning in game 3 of the NLDS on Sunday, October, 6, 2019, in St. Louis. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Ronald Acuna Jr. tries to make an out from center field, but the target was off, allowing the St. Louis Cardinals to get their first run during NLDS Game 3 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Sunday, October 6, 2019. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Dansby Swanson slides into home to score in the 9th inning during Game 3 of best-of-five National League Division Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Sunday, October 6, 2019. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after scoring a run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning of NLDS Game 3 at Busch Stadium on October 06, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images)

Adam Duvall #23 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with his teammates after their 3-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 06, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ATLANTA — It’s been 1,028 days since Mike Soroka has pitched in a Major League Baseball game. On Monday, he’s expected to take the hill for the Braves against the Oakland A’s in his return.

Soroka battled back from two Achilles tears and multiple surgeries. His return comes at a time where the Braves’ starting rotation is missing Max Fried and Kyle Wright with their own injuries.

The Braves pitcher said he’s always believed he would make it back. He expressed gratitude for the organization’s support.

“I think anytime you get to be there with one team and that team stuck with you through struggles is special. Especially in today’s game,” Soroka said.

If you’re wondering if anyone has come back from tearing his Achilles twice in MLB, there’s actually another current player: Chicago White Sox third baseman Jake Burger.

The infielder torn his Achilles in 2018 and then re-tore the same one a few months later. Now in 2023, he’s off to a solid start, hitting .252 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI.

After Soroka tore his Achilles a second time, Braves general manager Alex Anthopolous connected Burger and Soroka.

“He was huge for me the couple of times that I talked to him and been in touch with him. It’s going to take longer but you’re going to be able to get back there.”

The Braves face the A’s for a three-game series in Oakland. It will also be the return to Oakland for Braves catcher Sean Murphy, who Atlanta acquired in an offseason trade.

Monday’s first pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET.

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