Soto (3-5) didn't allow a baserunner or a run over two-thirds of an inning, earning the win over the Giants on Thursday.
Seranthony Dominguez allowed the tying run to score in the top of the ninth inning, but Soto got Mark Canha to ground into a double play to keep the game tied at 3-3. In the bottom of the frame, Anthony Santander lifted the Orioles to a 5-3 win with a walk-off home run. Soto's Baltimore tenure started poorly, but he's since allowed just three runs (two earned) over his last 13.2 innings, posting a 17:3 K:BB in that span. Overall, he has a 4.65 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 62:26 K:BB over 50.1 innings between the Orioles and the Phillies.
Orioles' Gregory Soto: Disaster outing ends in loss
Rotowire
Soto (2-5) allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Blue Jays.
The Orioles haven't been able to fix Soto, who has allowed eight runs over 1.1 innings across his first three appearances with the team. Even in a mediocre showing with the Phillies earlier in the season, he was rarely this bad. Overall, he's now at a 5.89 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB over 36.2 innings with two saves and eight holds. Given Soto's struggles, he's likely to be limited to low-leverage work and could even be at risk of getting designated for assignment if he can't turn things around quickly.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Gregory Soto: Shipped to Baltimore
Rotowire
The Phillies traded Soto to the Orioles on Tuesday in exchange for Seth Johnson, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Soto owns a 4.08 ERA and 1.58 WHIP through 35.1 innings with the Phillies this season. He's capable of handling high-leverage situations, recording two saves and seven holds on the year, though he'll most likely handle middle relief while with the O's.
Soto earned the save Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two hits with one strikeout over a scoreless ninth inning.
Soto picked up his first save since Apr. 8, retiring back-to-back batters to close out the game and strand runners on first and third. While Soto shouldn't be expected to see much high-leverage work, it's worth noting that closer Jose Alvarado has pitched during the eighth inning in back-to-back games, leaving save chances to Soto and Jeff Hoffman.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Gregory Soto: Notches first save
Rotowire
Soto allowed one hit in a scoreless frame Monday, striking out two and earning a save over the Cardinals.
Soto was in a first-and-third jam with just one out but punched out Nolan Gorman and Nolan Arenado to close out the 5-3 win in the 10th inning. This came after Jeff Hoffman blew a save chance in the ninth. Soto now has a save and two holds with a 5:0 K:BB through 3.2 shutout frames.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Gregory Soto: Avoids arbitration with Phils
Rotowire
Soto signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Thursday to avoid arbitration.
Soto saw his saves total diminish significantly in 2023 after being traded from Detroit to Philadelphia last offseason. He still managed an impressive 24 holds and also posted an 8.8 percent walk rate -- by far the best mark of his career. Jose Alvarado is the current favorite for the closer role, but with Craig Kimbrel out of the picture, this could be a bullpen to watch in spring training.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Gregory Soto: Notches second save
Rotowire
Soto struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Orioles.
Craig Kimbrel got the call in the eighth inning against the heart of Baltimore's order, while Soto faced the 6-7-8 hitters for the O's en route to his first save since mid-May. While the left-hander does appear to be manager Rob Thomson's second choice for save chances, Kimbrel's spot as closer doesn't seem to be in any jeopardy. Since the beginning of June, Soto has posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB through 16.2 innings while collecting six holds and a win in addition to Wednesday's save.
Soto pitched a perfect inning to earn his first save of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Rockies.
Soto had no trouble protecting a three-run lead, retiring the side on 10 pitches. This was his first outing since Jose Alvarado (elbow) landed on the injured list. Craig Kimbrel got the first save chance Friday, but Soto should also be in the mix in what's likely to be a closer committee for the next few weeks. Soto has a 4.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB while logging seven holds over 20 appearances (18 innings) this season.
Soto is expected to split closing duties with Craig Kimbrel after Jose Alvarado (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
The lefty-throwing Alvarado has been Philadelphia's top reliever and primary closing option this season with five saves, but he's now sidelined by elbow inflammation. Kimbrel has three saves but has struggled at times with a 7.62 ERA in 15 outings, which could allow Soto -- who tallied 30 saves for Detroit in 2022 -- to take a larger share of the closer role.
Phillies' Gregory Soto: Officially arrives in camp
Rotowire
Soto (personal) officially arrived at Phillies camp Wednesday.
Soto was delayed in getting to the Phillies' spring training complex in Florida due to visa issues and had to bow out of an opportunity to pitch for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. However, he can now work on playing catch-up from this point forward and should serve as a high-leverage bullpen option for the reigning NL champs come Opening Day. The 28-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Tigers in a January trade.
