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Joakim Soria News & Rumors

Sources: Red Sox called on Kansas City closer Joakim Soria
December 18
WEEI Boston
 
"According to multiple sources, the Red Sox had discussions with the Royals about the possibility of dealing for Kansas City closer Joakim Soria. The talks have currently failed to progress, however, with KC seeking (according to a source) at least "a couple solid pieces." (Translation: the kind of players the Red Sox aren't going to be putting in a deal for Soria.) The 27-year-old Soria — whom the Red Sox did have some interest in at the 2010 non-waiver trade deadline — is coming off his worst season, converting 28 of 35 save opportunities, while finishing with a 4.03 ERA. Opponents hit .259 off of the righty, who hadn't allowed an OBA of higher than .219 in any of his previous four"
Royals retain Soria by declining to exercise buyout option
October 31
Kansas City Star
 
"Not that there was ever much doubt, but the Royals made it official Monday that they will retain closer Joakim Soria through the 2012 season by choosing not to exercise a buyout option in his contract. "This decision was more of a formality," general manager Dayton Moore agreed. "Joakim has been an exceptional closer for the last five years. "For us to put together a strong pitching staff in 2012, it is important that Joakim remain a key component at the back end of the bullpen.""
Three Royals file for free agency; decision due today on Soria
October 31
Kansas City Star
 
"Three Royals were automatically filed for free-agency at 11:01 p.m. Saturday in accordance with Major League Baseball's labor agreement. Catcher Jason Kendall and left-handed pitchers Bruce Chen and Jeff Francis were among the 148 players affected. Kendall was, officially, reinstated from the 60-day disabled list before his filing took effect. The labor agreement grants exclusive negotiating rights to a player's former team until 11:01 p.m. Wednesday. Thereafter, free agents are permitted to negotiate — and sign with any team."
Royals mulling whether to extend Soria's contract
October 28
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals have three days after the conclusion of the World Series to notify closer Joakim Soria whether they intend to exercise the $6 million option in his contract for next season. The decision is widely viewed as a formality. Club officials say there is no reason not to retain Soria despite a disappointing season in which he finished 5-5 with a career-worst 4.03 ERA and 28 saves in 35 chances. Soria, 27, is the club's highest-paid player and is entering the option phase of a multiyear extension — that ranged from three to six years — signed May 17, 2008. The first three years were guaranteed at $8.75 million. The value jumps to $6 million in 2012, $8 million in 2013 and $8.75 million"
Royals, Soria bounce back with 5-3 victory over Indians
August 1
Kansas City Star
 
"Well, hey, it wasn't going to happen twice in a row, right? Joakim Soria rebounded from his worst outing in two months Sunday afternoon by closing out a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians that allowed the Royals to head home buoyed by a winning road trip. "I wanted the ball big-time today," Soria admitted. "I was hoping to have the situation to get in the game. It worked today." Sunday's success came after Soria surrendered four runs Saturday night in the ninth inning in a 5-2 loss - including a two-out, three-run walkoff homer by Matt LaPorta. This time, Soria got the job done for his 13th save in his last 14 opportunities. "That just happened (Saturday) night," manager Ned Yost said."
Soria can't save it as Royals lose 5-2
July 31
Kansas City Star
 
"Some losses hurt more than others, but the Royals will experience few that wound deeper than this one. It wasn't just the ninth-inning collapse Saturday night in a 5-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians; there was also the news that catcher Matt Treanor was undergoing tests at a local hospital after suffering a concussion earlier in the game on a play at the plate. "That's a double-tough loss, but what's most important is Matty," said Brayan Peña, who made two costly misplays after replacing Treanor. "He went down, and it was devastating. And then to lose the game … it sucks that this happened." Joakim Soria, 5-4, surrendered four runs in the ninth for his first blown save since May 30. Matt"
Soria returns to form for Royals
June 27
Kansas City Star
 
"When pitcher Joakim Soria struggled, plenty of theories unfolded as to why. Now that he's locking down the ninth inning once again, there's a clearer consensus for his turnaround. His control. "I've been hitting my spots really good," Soria said, "and that's been a big key." Soria recorded his 13th save Sunday in a 6-3 win, allowing a hit before inducing a game-ending double play. That came one night after he struck out the side for the save. Soria lost the closer's job on May 30 after blowing his third save in a week. He regained the role on June 9 and has converted all six of his save opportunities since. In 12 innings since the demotion, Soria has allowed only four hits while striking"
Soria survives shaky ninth, saves Royals' 3-2 victory
June 10
Kansas City Star
 
"The news regarding Mike Moustakas' pending arrival pulled the spotlight away from the drama surrounding Joakim Soria's first save opportunity since reclaiming his job as the Royals' closer. That's understandable, perhaps, but Soria put everyone on edge Thursday before securing a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays by escaping from a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. "It's never easy," he said. "The last couple of outings (in non-save situations), I was pitching well. This was a tough one, but we got the win. That's all that matters." Soria's first save since May 20 also enabled Luke Hochevar, who worked seven strong innings, to gain his first victory in seven"
Joakim Soria close to reclaiming closer role
June 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Joakim Soria is nearing a return to the closer role just a week after losing the job. Manager Ned Yost said before Sunday's 6-0 loss that one more solid appearance could prompt Soria to regain his former role. Soria hasn't allowed a run in two outings since his demotion, but he didn't pitch Sunday. "That's three good innings in a row," Yost said. "I kind of suspect one more good outing like that and we can slip him right back to where he belongs." Soria has worked three scoreless innings while not allowing a hit or walk, but both of his appearances have come in the late innings of losses. Now, Yost wants Soria to pitch in a more pressure-filled situation."
Soria's performance points to return as closer
June 5
Kansas City Star
 
"Joakim Soria is inching is way back toward reclaiming his closer's role. Royals manager Ned Yost said Sunday he has been impressed with Soria, who has pitched two scoreless outings since his demotion last week. "He's had three knockout innings … another one or two (good outings) and he'll be ready to move back in," Yost said. "I'm not sure he's not ready right now … but I want to give him (at least) one more." Yost pointed to Soria's scoreless eighth inning on Saturday as a sign of his resilience - a good thing, considering he lost the job after blowing three saves in a week. "He got four outs easy, yesterday," Yost said. "They made an error behind him and he came back and got the next"
Soria makes first appearance since demotion from closer's role
June 3
Kansas City Star
 
"Joakim Soria pitched two perfect innings Thursday in his first appearance since his demotion as closer after a blown save Monday. Soria needed only nine pitches to retire the side in the eighth inning, thanks in part to a bare-handed throw by shortstop Alcides Escobar. Soria returned for the ninth and retired all three batters he faced. He threw first-pitch strikes to five of the six batters he faced. "I felt I had better command today," Soria said. "I didn't change anything in my mechanics. I just go ahead and try to change my mentality a little bit." Manager Ned Yost said earlier in the week that he wanted to use Soria for a couple of innings in nonpressure situations, and Thursday's"
Yost confident that Soria can bounce back
June 2
Kansas City Star
 
"Closer Joakim Soria hasn't pitched since Monday, but his struggles remain a hot topic for Royals fans. The prevailing theory in the clubhouse surrounding Soria's struggles is that he lost the bite on his two-seam fastball after developing a cut fastball, a pitch he stopped throwing in mid-May as he tries to regain the fastball and change-up that made him a two-time All-Star. "Mac (pitching coach Bob McClure) has gone back and looked at every one of his saves in the big leagues since 2007," Yost said. "There's not a lot of difference there. There are no glaring weaknesses. We don't find that he's tipping pitches anywhere. His arm is healthy. It's just a matter of getting back on track.""
KC has no plans to make Soria a starter
June 1
MLB.com
 
"The subject always seemed to come up when Joakim Soria was making his mark as a closer. Why not make him a starting pitcher? Now that he's been replaced, at least temporarily as the Royals' closer, manager Ned Yost was asked if that topic has emerged."
Royals have to find a fix for broken Soria
June 1
Kansas City Star
 columnist Sam Mellinger
"Day one of Joakim Soria's new life as a setup reliever must have felt different. How could it not? The artist formerly known as the Mexicutioner is now a broken ballplayer, at least at the moment, having asked off the closer job — and the trick now is figuring out how long this will last. "Maybe three days," Royals pitching coach Bob McClure says. "Maybe five days. Maybe a week. Nobody knows. But when he's ready, you'll just see it." That's the hope, anyway, the confident upper lip currently being projected by a franchise rocked and blindsided by the sudden struggles of what had been the team's only reliable player the last four years. They swear he is healthy, and this would be a much"
Soria loses closer's job after meltdown vs. Angels
May 31
Kansas City Star
 
"This was the breaking point. Joakim Soria knew that better than anyone after another meltdown in the ninth inning. Another blown save. Another crushing loss instead of a much-needed victory. So Soria sought out Royals manager Ned Yost after allowing three ninth-inning runs in Monday's 10-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. And Soria admitted the obvious. It's time to back off. "I went to his office and told him it's the right time to do it," Soria said. "I don't want to be (the reason for) this losing streak. The team is playing really well, and they need a man who can go after (the other team). Right now, that's not (me)." Yost agreed. "It's time to step up and make a"
Soria stumbles again as Rangers beat Royals 7-6
May 30
Kansas City Star
 
"Somewhere, at some point, Joakim Soria has somehow morphed into a nightmarish combination of Ambiorix Burgos, Andrew Sisco, Mike MacDougal, Ricky Bottalico and every other failed Royals closer of the last generation. Soria blew another lead Sunday afternoon by surrendering two runs in the ninth inning in a 7-6 loss to Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. That makes a career-high four blown saves, and his ERA now stands at an almost-incomprehensible 5.57. "Stuff like this happens," Soria said, "but it's been happening for two months. It's been hard. This is the hardest part of my career right now. I need to figure out what's going on." Manager Ned Yost was adamant afterward that Soria,"
Can Joakim Soria bounce back from his shaky start?
May 29
Kansas City Star
 
"Something is missing. That's the simplest way Jeff Montgomery can answer the question. Montgomery has watched Royals closer Joakim Soria all season, one All-Star closer studying another, and he's seen what everyone else has seen. Soria is struggling. Giving up homers. Walking batters. Blowing saves. Montgomery calls it a funk, an uncharacteristic wobble by a pitcher who has made a career by staying sturdy. Something is missing, Montgomery says, but this is where the simple answers end. Maybe it's a mechanical issue. Maybe he's not 100 percent healthy, although Soria still maintains that he's fine. Or maybe it's just the law of averages, a spate of bad luck that has exacerbated a few bad"
Yost is adamant: Soria is still KC's closer
May 26
Kansas City Star
 
"Let there be no doubt. Royals manager Ned Yost not only didn't change his mind overnight regarding Joakim Soria's status as the club's closer following Tuesday's ninth-inning meltdown. Yost was more emphatic than ever Wednesday that he's sticking with Soria. "There's nothing different with Soria," he said, "and there's not going to be anything different with Soria." The question of a change in closers surfaced after Soria blew a one-run lead Tuesday by allowing three ninth-inning runs in a 5-3 loss to the Orioles. It was Soria's third blown save and hiked his ERA to 5.12. "He's not that far off from being right," Yost said. "His problem is he was just so automatic before, when he stumbles"
Soria wants to leave 'Mexicutioner' behind
February 23
Kansas City Star
 
"Joakim Soria made the request early Tuesday in the understated manner by which he typically closes out any game where the Royals enter the ninth inning with a slim lead. It came as a request sent out on his Twitter account that asked — asked, not demanded — that everyone stop referring to him as the Mexicutioner: "How about we change my nickname to something positive? In support to Mexico to stop all the violence!!!" Soria, 26, has always been proud of his Mexican heritage. It marked a proud moment in his career, which includes two All-Star selections, when he became the all-time leader in saves by a Mexican-born player. He readily admits he is deeply troubled by the escalating violence"
Royals refusal to listen to offers for Joakim Soria adds to winter woes for Brian Cashman, Yankees
January 9
New York Daily News
 columnist Bill Madden
"So far it's been a very trying and empty winter for Brian Cashman and the Yankees, between the futile pursuit of Cliff Lee, the adamant unavailability of Seattle's "King Felix" Hernandez and Andy Pettitte's annual ongoing "Hamlet" act. There remain gaping holes in the Yankee pitching staff, both in the starting rotation and the set-up relief corps, where people seem to have forgotten how Kerry Wood saved their season last year. Having struck out everywhere in his quest to land a frontline starter, Cashman has since sought to strengthen the staff from the back end, only to run into another stonewall with Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore's refusal to consider offers for his closer Joakim"
Joakim Soria wouldn't block Yankees trade, could set up Rivera if deal is made
December 30
New York Daily News
 
"Not luring Cliff Lee to New York leaves the Yankees with a gaping hole in their starting rotation, and a sizable amount of cash burning holes in their deep pockets. With Andy Pettitte contemplating retirement and with few proven replacement options available, however, the Bombers also can invest some of those funds in a bullpen upgrade. And while Joakim Soria has the Yankees among the teams listed in a no-trade clause in his contract with the Royals, the two-time All-Star closer told a Mexican newspaper this week that he wouldn't block a trade to the Bronx. "There is a no-trade clause to the Yankees in my contract, but I did not put it there," Soria told Vanguardia in Spanish. "My agent"
Soria would Yank no-trade clause
December 30
New York Post
 
"The Yankees did not land Zack Greinke, but another Royals pitcher said he is willing to join the Bronx Bombers. Closer Joakim Soria told a Mexican newspaper he would waive his no-trade clause if the Royals dealt him to the Yankees. His no-trade clause reportedly blocks deals with the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Phillies, Cardinals and Cubs. "I didn't put it there, my agent did, as a strategy," Soria told the newspaper as translated by mlbtraderumors.com. "But if the Royals decide to trade me to New York, I would gladly go to play with the Yankees or any other team. . . . I repeat, I would not block a trade to the Yankees. I like to play baseball and I would play with any team." The Yankees"
Soria is Royals' pitcher of the year
November 5
Kansas City Star
 
"Joakim Soria is just fine with the Royals' ongoing rebuilding efforts and his continuing role as the hammer at the back end of their bullpen. So, no, the Mexicutioner offered no Zack Greinke-like angst Thursday after being selected as the Royals' pitcher of the year for the second time in three seasons in balloting by the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. "I'm still young," Soria said, "and I think I'm a piece of what they want to do with this team. I think it's a good idea to rebuild the team, and they've been doing great work with the minor-league system." Greinke voiced frustration at times this season at the prospect of working through a rebuilding"
Royals lose 3-2 to Rays in 12 innings after Soria stumbles in ninth
October 4
Kansas City Star
 
"All good things must come to an end, it seems, even for Joakim Soria. The Mexicutioner coughed up a two-run lead in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon before an error in the 12th by third baseman Wilson Betemit brought the Royals' season to a thudding conclusion in a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium. Soria had not blown a save in 36 previous opportunities dating to May 6 at Texas. He had not allowed a run in 24 previous appearances dating to July 28. Oh, well. "Sometimes, it's going to happen," he said. "Nobody is perfect. It's disappointing, but you can't just see the bad things. I care (about blowing the save), obviously. But I've had a great year, and this won't affect"
Greinke gets first career victory against Rays and Soria sets personal saves record
October 1
Kansas City Star
 
"Zack Greinke closed a disappointing follow-up to his Cy Young season Thursday night by achieving something that eluded him last year and throughout his career. He beat the Tampa Bay Rays. Greinke worked seven strong innings in a 3-2 victory that also allows the Royals to offer the modest boast of being better than last year. They improved to 66-93 with three games to go. They finished last season at 65-97. Big picture: Does it mean anything that Greinke reasserted himself in his final start? "No, we know what Zack is," manager Ned Yost said. "It makes us all feel better...we want to win; we want Zack to pitch well. But it wouldn't change anything we're trying to do if he didn't have a good"
Numbers suggest Soria may be game's top closer
September 29
Kansas City Star
 
"The question — Are you now the best closer in baseball? — elicited a quick disavowing head shake from Joakim Soria. The smile fell away, and he summoned that no-nonsense Mexicutioner stare that the camera often catches. "Oh, no," he said. "No … no." Not the best? OK. How about most reliable? Let crunch some numbers. Start with this season: Soria has the best saves percentage (95.5) for any reliever with at least 20 opportunities. Now go back to when he became the Royals' full-time closer as a rookie following a July 31, 2007 trade that sent Octavio Dotel to Atlanta for pitcher Kyle Davies. Soria has 121 saves in 130 opportunities since then for a success rate of 93.1 percent that ranks"
Royals rebuild bridge to Soria with Wood and Chavez
August 20
Kansas City Star
 
"The bridge to closer Joakim Soria appeared to be crumbling two weeks ago. Kyle Farnsworth and Robinson Tejeda were pitching well, but Farnsworth left via trade and Tejeda was placed on the disabled list. Luckily, something old (Blake Wood) and something new (Jesse Chavez) wedded the starters to Soria. "A lot of times, it's been my experience that if you provided an opportunity for guys, they'll step up," manager Ned Yost said. "An opportunity is a wonderful thing for people. Given a fair opportunity, you'll find somebody to step up and somebody can do the job." Wood previously held the eighth-inning role, but his ERA ballooned to 6.51 from 3.96 over four outings in July. He was altering"
Greinke starts and Soria finishes Royals' 2-1 victory over Indians
August 18
Kansas City Star
 
"The running joke between Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria resumed Tuesday night after Soria secured another victory for Greinke when Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 at Kauffman Stadium. "I always tell him how bad he is," Greinke said. "About how he's not good enough to be a starter and stuff like that. How he doesn't throw hard, and he signed a bad contract. I never give him credit for anything." Not even, apparently, for saving seven of Greinke's eight victories this season. "I don't think I have," Greinke mused. "I just tell him his curveball is going to get hit soon. And his change-up is going to get hit soon." And so on. Soria hears this and laughs. "We always mess around with each"
Soria matches club record for consecutive saves as Royals win
August 8
Kansas City Star
 
"It's 24 straight saves and counting now for Royals closer Joakim Soria after Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Soria worked around a leadoff single by Chone Figgins in the ninth inning in protecting a victory for Bruce Chen, who worked seven dazzling innings. Soria's 24 straight saves match a club record established by Jeff Montgomery in 1993. "That's really important to me," Soria said, "but you have to look at it as just a number, too. You have to keep going. I want to put up a really big mark." It was also Soria's 31st save of the season, which matches Tampa Bay's Rafael Soria for tops in the American League. The game, though, belonged to Chen, who rolled"
Yankees on Soria's no-trade list
July 27
ESPN.com
 
"If the Yankees are indeed interested in acquiring Kansas City Royals All-Star closer Joakim Soria, they will face one more hurdle -- a no-trade clause. The Yankees are one of the six teams on Soria's no-trade list, a baseball official with knowledge of the contract tells ESPN New York. Rumors have been circulating that the Yankees want to make Soria their new eighth-inning man to replace Joba Chamberlain. The no-trade clause is one hurdle, but the biggest mountain that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman must move is the Royals' reluctance to trade Soria. Kansas City has told teams it will listen on Soria, but it will take a boatload of talent to acquire the right-hander."
Closing argument: Soria deserves the starring role in the All-Star Game
July 13
Kansas City Star
 columnist Sam Mellinger
"This is a big deal for Joakim Soria, a very big deal, and he's smart enough to know it but too well-adjusted to make a stink about it. This is how it's always been with Soria. It's part of why Kansas City loves him and so many others don't know about him. Tonight should be his national stage, finally his, the ball and three outs in the ninth inning in front of a worldwide audience to close out baseball's summer showcase. Except Yankees manager Joe Girardi doesn't see it that way, a mistake that will keep Soria hidden a little while longer. Soria is fine with this. He isn't driven by fame, so remaining Kansas City's best-kept secret is good enough. He says he'll be ready tonight no matter"
Soria selected as Royals' representative for All-Star Game
July 4
Kansas City Star
 
"The Mexicutioner is heading to his second All-Star Game in three years. The word came down early Sunday morning that closer Joakim Soria, who shares the American League lead with 22 saves, will be the Royals' lone representative here in nine days when baseball stages its 81st Mid-Summer Classic. It marks the seventh straight season the Royals will send only one player to the All-Star Game. Soria beat out teammates David DeJesus, Billy Butler and José Guillen for the honor. If the game, as baseball insists, is more than a showcase of its top stars, it's hard to argue with the decision. Soria, 25, is firmly established as one of the game's top closers and is on a run of 14 straight"
It's no coincidence that Soria looks calm amid chaos
May 19
Kansas City Star
 
"It looked like a perfect setup Tuesday night for Joakim Soria on his 26th birthday. The Royals were nursing a lead into the late innings against the Baltimore Orioles and, if they could get it to the ninth inning, Soria would have the chance to mark his birthday with his 100th career save. That chance never arrived. The Orioles pulled even in the eighth against Blake Wood before gaining a 4-3 victory in 10 innings at Camden Yards. No. 100 will have to wait for another day. Soria shrugged off the delay with much the same aplomb that he handles himself on the mound when things start to go wrong. "You have to be like that," he explained. "If you get panicked, you're going to mess it up again."
Yost plans to use Soria primarily as a three-out closer
May 16
Kansas City Star
 
"Look for Joakim Soria to revert back to a three-out closer under new manager Ned Yost. "I don't think I would hesitate to use Soria in a four-out situation," Yost said, "but I don't generally like to do it. I think a closer is at his best when he comes in, gets his work done and goes into the locker room. "I don't like to see a closer come in, have to get an out, go sit down and then have to go back out and get three more outs." Problems in the Royals' bullpen often prompted former manager Trey Hillman to expand Soria's role to four or five outs. He pitched more than one inning in four of his 13 appearances this season and in 11 of his last 35 outings dating to last season. "Closers are a"
Soria unlikely to be used in early jams
April 15
Kansas City Star
 
"A not-so-hypothetical situation: The Royals are holding a lead in the sixth or seventh inning, but the opponent is mounting a threat. In sifting through options in a shaky relief corps, does manager Trey Hillman ever consider summoning closer Joakim Soria? "There's a thought there," Hillman said, "but, No. 1, it's a very unusual time for Joakim Soria to pitch in a ballgame. No. 2, you've still got those same bats coming up in the ninth in a higher-leverage situation — because it is the ninth, even if there are no runners on base." The short answer, then, is no, or at least not yet. Burning Soria early in the game, Hillman contends, creates more problems than it solves — even after watching"
Soria to start on Sunday - and only Sunday
March 7
Kansas City Star
 
"It wasn't a bad Saturday for all Missouri Tigers. Former All-American Aaron Crow delivered two strong innings for the Royals in a 2-1 victory over the Texas Rangers that clinched the campus title in front of 6,511 on a gorgeous afternoon at Surprise Stadium. OK, it's not the Border War, which didn't go so well Saturday for Crow's Tigers in a 77-56 loss to Kansas. But, hey, it's still marked a nice spring debut for the Royals' first-round pick in last year's draft. "There were a lot of people in the stands," Crow said. "It was a lot better than doing it on the back fields. It got me pumped up a little bit." Crow allowed just one hit while striking out three in a brisk 23-pitch performance"
Soria showing no signs this spring of shoulder soreness
February 28
Kansas City Star
 
"Another entry Saturday in the Royals' so far/so good checklist: Closer Joakim Soria is throwing free and easy and showing no signs of the shoulder soreness that plagued him on occasion last season. "I've tried not to badger him," manager Trey Hillman said, "but I've asked him probably three times how his body feels without getting specific about the shoulder. He says he feels very good. "His command has been very good. His mechanics have been real smooth." Soria, 25, missed nearly a month last season but still finished with 30 saves in 33 opportunities while compiling a 2.21 ERA in 47 appearances. He also had five saves of two innings or more; no other reliever in either league had more"
Soria honored as baseball's top reliever for September
October 9
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals closer Joakim Soria sure knows how to close out a season. Soria was honored Thursday as the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month for September after converting all 10 save opportunities and pitching 13 2/3 scoreless innings in 12 appearances. It marks the second straight season that Soria won the award in September. The award is determined through a vote by a Major League Baseball panel and seeks to recognize each month's "most outstanding relief pitcher." Four other relievers received votes: Joe Nathan of the Twins, Mariano Rivera of the Yankees, Jonathan Broxton of the Dodgers and Francisco Cordero of the Reds. Soria's 10-save month boosted his season total to 30 and"
Soria reaches 30 saves by closing out victory
October 1
Kansas City Star
 
"Joakim Soria recorded his 30th save Wednesday night and joined Dan Quisenberry and Jeff Montgomery as the only pitchers in Royals' history to reach that milestone in consecutive seasons. Quisenberry had a four-year run from 1982-85 and Montgomery did it three straight years from 1991-93. Now Soria, who had 42 last year in his first full season as the club's closer. Soria's 30 saves this season, in 33 opportunities, came despite missing nearly a month of the season because of a sore shoulder. The ailment has also limited his availability on other occasions. "It's better than I thought it would be," he said. "After I had shoulder inflammation and missed all of that time, it's good to have 30"
Soria saves Royals in 4-3 victory over Yankees
October 1
Kansas City Star
 
"Here's more proof, if any were needed, that Joakim Soria makes a difference when the Royals find themselves looking to protect slender leads in the late innings. Soria closed out a 4-3 victory Wednesday night over the New York Yankees _ yes, barely, by stranding runners at second and third in a scoreless ninth. But really, all that matters is he closed it out, right? Contrast that with Tuesday night: Kyle Farnsworth blew a one-run lead to the Yankees in the ninth inning when Soria was unavailable while recovering from Sunday's career-high 46-pitch outing against the Twins. "Soria just gives you confidence," catcher John Buck said. "You look at his face and into his eyes _ like I did when I"
Royals' latest skid hits five as Soria is roughed up in 10-6 loss to Indians
August 25
Kansas City Star
 
"It might all be falling apart now for the Royals. When Joakim Soria blows a late lead by giving up a three-run homer to Luis Valbuena, as happened Monday night in a 10-6 loss to Cleveland … well, sheesh, how much worse can things get? "It's been that way repeatedly," manager Trey Hillman said. "Sometimes, it's been defense. More often than not since the break, it's been when we've gone to the bullpen. Hasn't mattered. You know? Hasn't mattered. "We've tried to mix and match, utilize numbers. Unfortunately, more often than not, we've been nonproductive out of the bullpen. It's a difficult reminder that just when you think you've seen it all, you haven't seen it all." The question arises as"
Soria throws off flat ground
May 20
MLB.com
 
"Royals closer Joakim Soria did some throwing on Tuesday for the first time since he went on the disabled list May 10. Soria loosened up on flat ground, throwing from various distances, and didn't take the mound for the test of his strained right rotator cuff. "It feels pretty good. I just played catch and it feels good," he said. Soria said he'd wait to see how his shoulder felt on Wednesday before deciding on his next step. He is eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday. "He's moving along and not having the usual soreness with the weight resistance in his exercises, so that's a good sign," manager Trey Hillman said. Shortstop Mike Aviles was held out of the lineup for the fourth"
Closer Soria placed on disabled list
May 11
MLB.com
 
"The Royals placed closer Joakim Soria on the 15-day disabled list after Sunday's game because of lingering soreness in his right shoulder. Pitcher Luke Hochevar was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take Soria's place on the roster and Sidney Ponson's place in the starting rotation. Hochevar will start on Tuesday night at Oakland, moving Ponson into the bullpen. Hochevar had a 5-0 record in six starts for Omaha with a 0.90 ERA. There was no immediate estimate on how long Soria might be sidelined. He last pitched on Thursday against Seattle in a rocky but successful 29-pitch outing. His DL stay is retroactive to Friday. "We've been going day-to-day as you know. It's a little bit of a strain"
Soria goes on DL and Hochevar is called up
May 11
Kansas City Star
 
"Joakim Soria's continuing shoulder soreness prompted the Royals to say enough Sunday afternoon and place him on the 15-day disabled list. The club then replaced Soria on the roster by recalling right-hander Luke Hochevar from Class AAA Omaha. Hochevar will start Tuesday night at Oakland, while veteran Sidney Ponson shifts from the rotation to the bullpen. Manager Trey Hillman announced the moves before the Royals headed to the Bay Area after Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. "We've been going day to day (with Soria) as you well know," Hillman said. "It's a little bit of a strain in the rotator cuff that he's going through." The decision came after Soria reported renewed soreness"
Soria's shoulder status uncertain
May 10
MLB.com
 
"Uncertainty continues to hang over the availability of Royals closer Joakim Soria because of stiffness in his right shoulder. "We probably don't have Jack [Soria]," manager Trey Hillman said before Saturday night's game against the Angels. "He was a little sore yesterday -- too sore for my liking to feel real comfortable. We'll probably go day-to-day." Other than Soria's right shoulder being stiff, Hillman said he had no further information and that all medical tests had checked out OK. "It's kind of new territory for me," Hillman said. "I felt he was a little bit behind to start [the season] and I'm still hopeful that that's what it is. I just don't know. Anything beyond that would be"
Royals notebook: Soria rusty against Mariners
May 8
Kansas City Star
 
"Maybe we're all just spoiled. That's what Royals manager Trey Hillman thinks. We're used to seeing Joakim Soria come in, used to "Welcome to the Jungle" blaring around the stadium, and used to the ninth inning being over quickly. So when Soria comes in to pitch for the first time in four days and shows a little rust - Hillman says that's all it is - there tends to be an overreaction after the Royals' 3-1 win Thursday over Seattle. That's what Hillman thinks. "(Rust) is exactly what I'd attribute it to," he said. "Everybody's so used to him coming in and doing it in nine or 10 pitches, and one-two-three. He's had some inconsistencies, so I'd say that's exactly it: rust." Maybe so. But the"
Soria says he's ready to return
May 2
Kansas City Star
 
"Joakim Soria flashed a grin Friday afternoon as he walked through the Royals' clubhouse toward the door leading to the Metrodome playing surface. "Good," he said and emphasized the point with thumbs-up sign. It's good indeed if the Royals have their All-Star closer available again for this weekend's three-game series against the Minnesota Twins. Too bad they had no chance to test his recovery in Friday's 7-5 loss. So he got an extra day of rest. That test, of course, won't come until Soria sees whether his sore right shoulder can handle the full-speed urgency while warming up in the bullpen _ and then display his Mexicutioner efficiency once he enters the game. But his evident confidence"
Royals closer Soria sidelined by sore shoulder
April 25
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals expect to be without All-Star closer Joakim Soria throughout their weekend series against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. And maybe longer. Soria was diagnosed with a sore right shoulder late Thursday after undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam, but the Royals see no reason, at this point, to place him on the disabled list. "There is no structural damage," manager Trey Hillman said. "He's on special medication, and he's doing some exercises." Club officials now acknowledge Soria has been nursing a sore shoulder for several days. That explains why Soria went eight days without pitching before working a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 2-0 victory in Cleveland."
It's a whiff of frustration for Wedge; Soria has Tribe talking
April 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Manager Eric Wedge doesn't get too upset when his players strike out. When they do so with runners in scoring position, his view changes. The Indians entered Tuesday's game hitting .186 (11-for-59) with runners in scoring position. Of those at-bats, 36 percent (21 of 59) have ended in strikeouts. "We've struck out way too much with runners in scoring position," said Wedge. "You have to put the ball in play in those situations." Grady Sizemore, hitting .200 (1-for-5) with runners in scoring position, leads the Tribe with four strikeouts. Uncle Charlie: The Indians were still talking about the curve Joakim Soria struck out Jhonny Peralta on to end Monday night's game with runners on"