The Nationals built out their 2025 pitching staff by agreeing to a one-year contract with right-hander Michael Soroka on Thursday. The deal is expected to be worth $9 million, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, though the team did not confirm the value.

Soroka, 27, is entering his sixth season pitching in the Majors. Last season, he went 0-10 with a 4.74 ERA in 25 appearances, including nine starts, with the White Sox. He thrived when he moved to Chicago’s bullpen in mid-May. As a reliever, he posted a 2.75 ERA, held opponents to a .189 batting average and recorded 15.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

The right-hander has been a starter for the majority of his career. After being selected by the Braves out of high school in the first round of the 2015 Draft, Soroka started in 43 of his 44 appearances with Atlanta. As a starter in his career, he is 17-13 with a 3.76 ERA in 52 outings covering 287 innings.

Soroka did not pitch for the entire 2021 and ‘22 seasons because of injuries. He tore and re-tore his right Achilles tendon. At the time, Braves manager Brian Snitker lauded Soroka’s drive: “He’s determined. I would never bet against this guy.”

As a starter, Soroka would join a young Nationals rotation of right-hander Jake Irvin and left-handers MacKenzie Gore, DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker. Righties Cade Cavalli and Josiah Gray are recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Nationals are banking on the increase in velocity Soroka showed in the bullpen being a sign that his injury issues are in the past and he can be an important depth piece in the rotation with experience in the bullpen if necessary.