48 Joakim Soria RP

Soria posted a 6.00 ERA and two holds across three innings over three Cactus League appearances before spring training was paused.

The veteran reliever equaled a career high with 21 holds last season and posted his lowest WHIP (1.03) since the 2015 campaign, leaving him poised to play an important seventh- and eighth-inning role again this season. Soria also established a high-water mark in strikeouts with 79 in 2019, and although a few poor outings and 1.2 HR/9 helped push his ERA to 4.30, the 35-year-old showed he still had plenty left in the tank.

Soria (2-4) was credited with his second victory in a win over the Angels on Wednesday, firing a perfect eighth inning in which he did not record a strikeout.

Soria got through his one frame on 11 pitches, keeping the Athletics' deficit at 2-1. He was ultimately rewarded for his strong work when Matt Chapman slugged a homer in the top of the ninth to give Oakland a lead it wouldn't relinquish. The unblemished performance extended Soria's month-long scoreless streak to seven appearances and lowered an ERA that sat at 4.94 on Aug. 22 down to 4.37.

Soria recorded his 20th hold in a win over the Royals on Tuesday by firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded two strikeouts, his second straight scoreless effort since returning from time off due to an elbow issue.

Soria needed a scant nine pitches to mow through the trio of Nick Dini, Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi, giving him a pair of perfect innings in each of the first two games of the series versus the Royals. The impressive efforts are especially encouraging in light of the fact Soria was held out of action for 10 days prior to Monday due to his elbow problems.

Soria hasn't made a relief appearance since Sept. 6 due to an elbow issue but was cleared to play catch prior to Sunday's game against the Rangers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

If not for the expanded September roster, Soria likely would have landed on the injured list at the time the elbow issue first cropped up. The fact that Soria was seen throwing again suggests he's mostly moved past the issue, though he's uncertain to be available out of the bullpen in the series finale in Texas.

Soria earned the save against the Yankees on Thursday, pitching one inning and giving up one run on one hit while striking out two.

With usual closer Liam Hendriks getting a breather after registering a five-out save Wednesday, Soria was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. He gave up a solo home run to Gleyber Torres but nothing more to notch his first save of the season. Soria now has 221 saves to his name over the course of his career but does not figure to get many more opportunities this season with Hendriks firmly entrenched in the closer role.

Soria earned his 12th hold in a win over the Rangers on Saturday with a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded a strikeout. He has a 2.45 ERA, .214 BAA and 1.09 WHIP across the 7.1 innings covering his eight second-half appearances.

Soria also has three holds during that span, as he's been much steadier than in the pre-All-Star-break portion of July, when he allowed an earned run in three of his last four appearances before the extended layoff. Soria has lowered his ERA from 5.68 to 4.41 since June 10, so he's largely been a reliable component of the bullpen after a rocky first two-plus months of the season.

Soria, who recorded a strikeout and allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning versus the White Sox on Friday, has now surrendered an earned run in three of his last four relief appearances.

The veteran reliever entered July riding a seven-appearance scoreless streak, and he managed to extend it at the expense of the Twins during his first outing of the month. However, it's been a rocky journey for Soria since, with only one clean appearance in the last four. The 35-year-old sports an elevated 4.89 ERA overall for the season -- a figure well above his career 3.01 figure -- and has blown all three save chances he's seen, but he at least has managed to contribute nine holds.

Soria will serve as the opener for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Soria will likely pitch one or two innings before giving way to Daniel Mengden, who is expected to cover the bulk of innings Wednesday. In 27 appearances this season (all in relief), Soria owns a 5.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 28.2 innings.

Soria (1-4) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning, sticking him with the loss in Tuesday's 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Angels.

Soria allowed a single to Tommy La Stella and walked Mike Trout with two outs before Shohei Ohtani lined a two-run single to put the Angels ahead for good. The 35-year-old reliever has a 4.73 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 25 appearances spanning 26.2 innings this year.

Soria (1-2) struck out three over two perfect innings to earn the win in extra innings against the Indians on Friday.

The veteran reliever came through with a pair of scoreless frames after closer Blake Treinen had already done the same immediately before him. The strong showing was an extension of Soria's recent body of work that's now seen him generate five straight scoreless efforts and nine over his last 10 appearances overall. Soria's current 4.66 ERA is largely the byproduct of a pair of four-run blowups, but the former closer has otherwise been effective as one of several setup options for manager Bob Melvin.

Soria (0-1) failed to record an out in a loss to the Angels on Friday, allowing four earned runs on three hits and a walk.

The former closer was called on to start the eighth with the Athletics cruising following a masterful six innings from starter Marco Estrada and a perfect seventh from Lou Trivino. Soria proceeded to yield singles to Jonathan Lucroy and Brian Goodwin before surrendering a double to Kole Calhoun that plated both. Despite a rocky start to the season that's now seen him give up five earned runs across three outings, Soria is expected to be relied on as one of several setup options ahead of closer Blake Treinen this year.

Soria was credited with a hold in an exhibition win over the Giants on Monday, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout over a scoreless second inning.

Once one of the top closers in the game, Soria bounced back from a couple of so-so campaigns in 2018 while spending time with the White Sox and Brewers. The 34-year-old generated a solid 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while posting 16 saves and 13 holds with the help of a 75:16 K:BB over 60.2 innings. Blake Treinen has a firm hold of the ninth-inning job in Oakland, but Soria projects as a valued setup option along Fernando Rodney and Lou Trivino.

Soria (hip) retired two of the five hitters he faced in Wednesday's 5-3 Cactus League loss to the Dodgers.

It wasn't the sharpest showing for Soria, who walked two batters in his first appearance of the spring. More importantly though, Soria reported no ill effects with the hip injury that had hampered him early in camp, putting him on track to fill a key role out of the bullpen when the Athletics open their regular season March 20 versus the Mariners in Tokyo. Soria is projected to serve as one of the top setup men for closer Blake Treinen.

Soria (hip) is slated to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday versus the Dodgers, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Soria has been battling some right hip discomfort in the early stages of camp but the worst of it seems to be behind him at this juncture. He faced minor-league hitters on a side field Sunday and should be included in the pitching schedule Wednesday if he experiences no renewed soreness leading up to the exhibition contest.

Soria (hip) is nearing a return to game action, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Right hip tendinitis has put Soria behind a bit early on in camp, but he threw to hitters at the team's minor-league complex Saturday, and it sounds like we will see him in Cactus League games soon. Soria is expected to serve as the top setup man to closer Blake Treinen.

Soria is dealing with right hip discomfort, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Athletics don't appear to be overly concerned about the issue, but the cold weather has encouraged them to take things slowly with any pitchers suffering any sort of tightness. Soria should be in line for a setup role in front of Blake Treinen this season provided the hip issue doesn't linger.

Soria signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Athletics on Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Soria became a free agent at the end of October after declining his option for the 2019 season with Milwaukee. He's since found a new home and will join the likes of Fernando Rodney, Lou Trivino and Blake Treinen in an already impressive bullpen. Soria figures to see plenty of mid-to-high-leverage opportunities, especially coming off a solid season spent with the White Sox and the Brewers (3.12 ERA with 75 punchouts, 16 saves and 13 holds over 60.2 innings).

Soria declined his 2019 option with the Brewers and elected free agency.

Soria split time between the White Sox and Brewers in 2018, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 75:16 K:BB across 60.2 innings of relief. The veteran reliever shouldn't have trouble finding work given his proven track record.

Soria struck out two batters and recorded his 11th hold of the season in Monday's victory over the Cardinals.

Soria allowed eight runs in a six-appearance stretch earlier this month, but he has turned things around at the right time for the Brewers, firing a scoreless inning in four straight outings while allowing just three runners on base during that span. He is presumably the fourth option for saves in the Brewers' bullpen, but will continue working in high-leverage spots when needed.

Soria (1-4) was charged with four runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning while taking the loss Saturday.

Soria allowed a double, a run-scoring single and two walks before being removed for Dan Jennings, who promptly allowed a two-run single to Juan Soto. Jordan Lyles then threw a wild pitch that scored the fourth run charged to Soria. Josh Hader was unavailable due to being rested, so Milwaukee's top setup man couldn't hold the fort down for a possible Jeremy Jeffress save opportunity.