Rafael Soriano

Infobox MLB player
name = Rafael Soriano


width = 199
caption = Soriano closing for the Braves in May 2007
team = Atlanta Braves
number = 39
position = Relief pitcher
birthdate = birth date and age|1979|12|19
birthplace = San José, Dominican Republic
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = May 10
debutyear = 2002
debutteam = Seattle Mariners
statyear = 2008 season
stat1label = Win-Loss
stat1value = 7-12
stat2label = Earned run average
stat2value = 2.91
stat3label = Strikeouts
stat3value = 263
teams =
*Seattle Mariners (by|2002-by|2006)
*Atlanta Braves (by|2007-present)

Rafael Soriano (born December 19, 1979 in San José, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. He made his Major League debut with the Seattle Mariners on May 5, mlby|2002. He bats and throws right-handed. Soriano throws a moving fastball in the mid to upper 90's, which has been known to reach triple digits, along with a slider and scarcely used changeup.

He was originally signed as an outfielder before being converted to a pitcher. After an effective mlby|2003 season, Soriano suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and underwent Tommy John surgery on August 17, mlby|2004. He would return to the Majors on September 10, mlby|2005. Soriano suffered a concussion on August 29, mlby|2006, after being struck behind the ear by a line drive hit from Angel's slugger Vladimir Guerrero. [http://tberman.imeem.com/video/KcnKZrEL/soriano_getting_hit/] . He was released from the hospital the following afternoon.

Soriano was traded to the Atlanta Braves from the Seattle Mariners on December 6, 2006, in exchange for left-handed pitcher Horacio Ramírez. In an offseason article, ESPN explained why they believed that Soriano was a significantly better player than Ramirez, calling it the worst trade of the offseason. Soriano had a mixed bag of success and disappointment in his first season in Atlanta, primarily serving as the setup man to closer Bob Wickman. Soriano became the Braves closer after Bob Wickman was designated for assignment in August. He earned his first save since May 10 on August 30.

Soriano was suspended for four games on September 20 after hitting Dan Uggla with a pitch. The suspension was reduced to two games after appeal. He finished his first season as a Brave with a 3-3 record and 3.00 ERA.

Soriano signed a two-year contract with the Braves worth $9 million USD on January 24, mlby|2008. [ [http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/01/24/bravesburst_0124.html] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/soriara01.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6662 ESPN.com Rafael Soriano]
* [http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9626721 Mariners' Soriano suffers concussion (CBS News)]
* [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2003236968_soriano31.html "Lucky" Soriano leaves hospital (Seattle Times)]
* [http://braves.scout.com/2/598302.html (The Braves Show) ]
* [http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070920&content_id=2220310&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Atlanta's Soriano disciplined]