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Veteran starter declines Diamondbacks option, hits free agent market
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- Veteran starter declines Diamondbacks option, hits free agent market
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.
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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 starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on May 27, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on May 22, 2026.
(Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on May 22, 2026.
(Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on May 17, 2026.
(Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on May 17, 2026.
(Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws to the plate during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
(Raymond Carlin III/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws to the plate against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
(Raymond Carlin III/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka in the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Chase Field in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.
(Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Mike Soroka (34) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.
(Benny Sieu/Imagn Images)
Michael Soroka (34) of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 30, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wis.
(John Fisher/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Mike Soroka (34) watches after giving up a two-run home run to Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) in the third inning at American Family Field.
(Benny Sieu/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 23, 2026.
(Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Nolan Arenado (28) readies himself as pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws in the second inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 4, 2026.
(Allan Henry/Imagn Images)
Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first-inning pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field on April 17, 2026, in Phoenix.
(Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, on April 10, 2026.
(Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) stands on the mound with runners on base against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, on April 10, 2026.
(Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Starter Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Chase Field on April 4, 2026, in Phoenix.
(Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Starter Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Chase Field on April 4, 2026, in Phoenix.
(Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Starter Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Chase Field on April 4, 2026, in Phoenix.
(Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) reacts after striking out a batter to end the inning against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field on March 30, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) warms up between innings during their game against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field on March 30, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
Michael Soroka #99 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning in Game 1 of the Division Series at American Family Field on Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee.
(John Fisher/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on March 1, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on March 1, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on March 1, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitching coach Brian Kaplan heads to the mound to talk to right-hander Michael Soroka (34) as he pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on March 1, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
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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?
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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?
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on May 27, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on May 22, 2026.
(Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on May 22, 2026.
(Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on May 17, 2026.
(Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on May 17, 2026.
(Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws to the plate during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
(Raymond Carlin III/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws to the plate against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
(Raymond Carlin III/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka in the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Chase Field in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.
(Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Mike Soroka (34) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.
(Benny Sieu/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Michael Soroka (34) of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 30, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wis.
(John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Mike Soroka (34) watches after giving up a two-run home run to Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) in the third inning at American Family Field.
(Benny Sieu/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 23, 2026.
(Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Nolan Arenado (28) readies himself as pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws in the second inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 4, 2026.
(Allan Henry/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first-inning pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field on April 17, 2026, in Phoenix.
(Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, on April 10, 2026.
(Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (34) stands on the mound with runners on base against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, on April 10, 2026.
(Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Starter Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Chase Field on April 4, 2026, in Phoenix.
(Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Starter Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Chase Field on April 4, 2026, in Phoenix.
(Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Starter Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Chase Field on April 4, 2026, in Phoenix.
(Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) reacts after striking out a batter to end the inning against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field on March 30, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) warms up between innings during their game against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field on March 30, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Michael Soroka #99 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning in Game 1 of the Division Series at American Family Field on Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee.
(John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on March 1, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on March 1, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on March 1, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Arizona Diamondbacks pitching coach Brian Kaplan heads to the mound to talk to right-hander Michael Soroka (34) as he pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on March 1, 2026.
(Joe Rondone/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka's arsenal includes slurve
Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
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.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Veteran starter declines Diamondbacks option, hits free agent market
