Sports

Veteran starter declines Diamondbacks option, hits free agent market

Nairavoice · Oct 30, 2026 · 4 min read

Right-hander Michael Soroka declined his end of a $10 million mutual option for 2027, making him a free agent, a source said.

Soroka, 29, enjoyed a strong season with the Diamondbacks, posting a 3.41 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 116 innings.

The Diamondbacks signed him to a deal last December that included a $6.5 million base salary. Soroka wound up earning another $1.35 million in bonuses. The deal included the mutual option for 2027 with a $1 million buyout. All told, he wound up making $8.85 million from the Diamondbacks.

Michael Soroka of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Oracle Park on May 27, 2026, in San Francisco.

What is a slurve? Why are the Arizona Diamondbacks so good at it?

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

Michael Soroka of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Oracle Park on May 27, 2026, in San Francisco.

What is a slurve? Why are the Arizona Diamondbacks so good at it?

<1 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

Michael Soroka of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Oracle Park on May 27, 2026, in San Francisco.

What is a slurve? Why are the Arizona Diamondbacks so good at it?

<2 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<3 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<4 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<5 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<6 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<7 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<8 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<9 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<10 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<11 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<12 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<13 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<14 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<15 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<16 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<17 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<18 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<19 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<20 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<21 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<22 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<23 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<24 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<25 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<26 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<27 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<28 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<29 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<30 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<31 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<32 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

<33 / 33

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka’s arsenal includes slurve

The Diamondbacks are expected to express interest in bringing Soroka back but probably will wind up getting priced out.

The club already has more than $170 million forecast for 2027 and is expected to reduce payroll from last year’s $200 million-plus figure. The team also has five established starters set to return for next year’s rotation: Corbin Burnes, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Merrill Kelly and Ryne Nelson.

Show Some Love By Sharing