Soroka returns after IL stint, but Perdomo injury casts a shadow over Diamondbacks’ outing

The Diamondbacks had the kind of afternoon that starts with progress and ends with uncertainty. On Monday in Phoenix, Arizona celebrated the return of right-hander Michael Soroka from the injured list. Soroka’s first frame of the day came with a clear assignment: establish control, keep the Rockies from stringing together damage, and build toward the kind of innings that matter late in the season.

According to the team, Soroka delivered a strong beginning, holding Colorado scoreless through 4 1/3 innings. In that span, he gave Arizona a steady presence on the mound and kept the matchup from turning into a track meet. The early run prevention was a meaningful step in his comeback, as returning pitchers typically face a narrow window to prove they can manage workload and command.

But the mood shifted quickly in the field when Gerardo Perdomo exited the game early with a knee injury. Perdomo’s departure turned a competitive outing into a roster and lineup management challenge for the Diamondbacks, forcing the team to adjust on short notice. Even without additional detail on the timeline or diagnosis, the fact that the injury caused an early exit is the kind of development that can have ripple effects.

From a baseball operations standpoint, Soroka’s return represents a specific piece of roster construction, especially for teams trying to stabilize innings from the rotation. When a pitcher comes off the IL, the immediate question is whether he can convert bullpen readiness into real-game at-bats faced against live hitters. Soroka’s early success against the Rockies suggests the return is progressing, even if it is still too soon to judge his full season value from one outing.

Perdomo’s knee injury, meanwhile, is the kind of problem that often carries uncertainty because knee-related setbacks can range from minor to season-altering. For Arizona, the focus immediately becomes depth and defensive continuity, since the Diamondbacks’ day-to-day execution can be impacted by the absence of an everyday player. The team will also have to consider how quickly it can get Perdomo back into the rhythm of play, if that timeline exists.

Both storylines are likely to matter in different ways. Soroka’s next start, and the number of innings he is trusted to complete, will shape how the Diamondbacks plan their pitching workload over the coming weeks. Perdomo’s status will matter just as much to lineup planning, base running, and defensive matchups, particularly if Arizona needs to find an alternative for his spot in the everyday order.