Mike Soroka will take his next step in the rehab process on Tuesday, when he is scheduled to pitch an inning or two in Atlanta's Spring Training finale against the Red Sox at JetBlue Park. This will be the first time the Braves hurler has pitched in a game since tearing his right Achilles tendon on Aug. 3.

“I think it’s going to be good to get him out there against somebody else before we leave,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s done everything and he feels great. I think it’s awesome he’s going to be able to do that.”

Soroka spent the past couple weeks strengthening his legs and pitching in simulated games. He has steadily gained confidence and comfort whenever he has had to come off the mound to field his position, which was what initially caused the injury.

“He’s super stoked to get on the mound,” said Ian Anderson, who has been Soroka’s Spring Training roommate both of the past two years.

Soroka will pitch in relief of Drew Smyly, who will start on Tuesday. Once Soroka completes the short outing against the Red Sox, he will travel to Atlanta and prepare to spend the next couple weeks continuing his preparations at the team’s alternate training site -- Triple-A Gwinnett’s Coolray Field.

If Soroka stays on track while pitching in intra-squad games over the next few weeks, there is a chance he could rejoin Atlanta’s rotation in late April.

“After every new thing that he does, it’s going to be about how he feels the following day, like it always is,” Snitker said. “But as for the whole plan, everything is going right on schedule.”

Soroka finished sixth in Cy Young Award balloting after producing the National League’s third-best ERA (2.68) in 2019. He was injured during his third start of last year’s shortened season.

Swanson scratched
Dansby Swanson was scratched from the Braves' lineup a few hours before their 4-0 loss to the Red Sox on Monday. Swanson felt some tightness in his right calf the past couple days. He is expected to be back in the lineup for Tuesday’s exhibition-season finale.

“We’ve got a couple days [until Opening Day],” Snitker said. “There was no sense in pushing him. If this were a [regular-season game] he’d play. But I’m glad he said something.”

Swanson has hit .324 (12-for-37) with four doubles and a homer this spring. He is preparing to make his fifth Opening Day start as Atlanta’s shortstop.

Catching prospects
Catcher Travis d'Arnaud appreciated the difficulty of the decision the Braves faced as Alex Jackson and William Contreras battled for the backup backstop job, which ultimately went to Jackson.

“Both of them are so talented,” d’Arnaud said. “It’s so fun to watch. They both can catch, block and throw very well. They both have great communication with the pitching staff. They both can hit for power. What more could you want from a catcher? To see them go against each other was fun. They both had fun with it. They were both still close and open with each other. They were cracking jokes with each other. I hope nothing but the best for them because they are both going to be great catchers.”