Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jose Soriano continues to make a case to make his first career All-Star team in 2026. Soriano threw 5.2 innings of shutout baseball in the Angels’ 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Soriano’s performance on Friday put him into a category all to his own as opposing teams have been unable to score off him.
Los Angeles Angels’ Jose Soriano joins rare company with his low ERA
Through five starts, Soriano is 5-0 with a 0.28 ERA and has 39 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, the 27-year-old is the first pitcher with a sub-0.50 ERA (0.28 ERA) and 15 or fewer hits (11) through his first five appearances in a season.
Jose Soriano this season:
0.28 ERA
11 hits allowed
He’s the first pitcher with a sub-0.50 ERA and 15 or fewer hits allowed in his first 5 appearances of a season since ER official in both leagues (1913), min 30 IP
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 18, 2026
Langs notes that the lowest ERA in the last 80 years (minimum of 30.0 innings) is Soriano and Los Angeles Dodgers legend left-hander Fernando Valenzuela, who did it twice (1981: 0.20 and 1985: 0.21). Soriano’s dominance on the mound is paired with a resurging Mike Trout at the plate. The three-time MVP is hitting .237 with seven home runs, five of which came in his last five games.
Lowest ERA in first 5 appearances of a season in last 80 years, min 30 IP:
1981 Fernando Valenzuela: 0.20
1985 Fernando Valenzuela: 0.21
2026 Jose Soriano: 0.28
shoutout @bmags94 for sending the link as I was running the search, too! 🤝
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 18, 2026
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With both trending upward and the Angels second in the American League West behind the Texas Rangers (0.5 game back), the Angels have a fighting chance to make the playoffs this season.
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