Soroka fans 3 in D-backs debut with World Baseball Classic approaching

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Michael Soroka made his Diamondbacks debut Tuesday afternoon against the Rangers and will have one more start before leaving to join Team Canada for the World Baseball Classic.

Soroka allowed one run on two hits over two innings while walking one and striking out three in the D-backs' 6-4 win.

"Felt good for the most part," Soroka said. "Just a little bit stiff early, trying a little bit too hard to make everything do what it's supposed to do. I think I settled in a little bit and just got right to it and we made our adjustments, and made some good pitches, and some that I want to forget, so we'll move forward."

Soroka was signed to a one-year deal by the Diamondbacks in December and initially seemed to be a lock for the starting rotation. Arizona, though, re-signed Zac Gallen just after camp opened throwing into question which hurler could be the odd man out.

Depending on the severity of Merrill Kelly's recent back injury, the Diamondbacks may not have surplus in the rotation.

For his part, Soroka felt like there was plenty to build on from this outing with his next one coming March 1. He will leave for the Classic later that night.

"I threw a really good fastball for a take there in the second inning," Soroka said. "I had some good finish pitches, threw a couple of good breaking balls that were executed and the cutter was great today."

The cutter is a pitch that Soroka said he worked hard on in the offseason along with a sweeper with the hopes of having a six-pitch mix available this year.

"Soroka, for me, had good stuff," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "And I just think it was a case where he settled in and started to make really, really good pitches and I thought he had a nice gameplan going."

Gallen start on tap
Gallen will make his first start of the Cactus League on Wednesday against the Dodgers at Salt River Fields.

While most of the starters are scheduled to go two innings at first, Gallen will likely go one. He is slightly behind some of the other starters because he joined camp five days after it began.

"He's right where he should be," Lovullo said.

Drey Jameson, who is competing for a bullpen spot, is also scheduled to pitch against Los Angeles.

Game action
Brandyn Garcia, Andrew Hoffman and Philip Abner, all of whom are battling for bullpen spots, each pitched scoreless innings against the Rangers.

Offensively, non-roster invite A.J. Vukovich and second baseman Ketel Marte homered.