Manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Eflin (lat) is scheduled to throw a side session Friday or Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Eflin has recently been ramping up his throwing distance and has now been cleared to return to the mound for the first time since suffering a mild lat strain April 7. The right-hander is already eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list, but it'll likely be another couple of weeks before he's potentially ready to return.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Extends throwing distance
Rotowire
Eflin (lat) threw from 120 feet Sunday and said he feels great, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Eflin was placed on the injured list April 9 due to a low-grade right lat strain, but he appears to be making good progress in his recovery. The right-hander has expressed optimism that his absence will be short, though it's not yet clear if he'll need a rehab assignment once he's cleared to resume pitching in games. Eflin is expected to throw a bullpen soon as the next step in his ramp-up, per Kubatko.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Begins throwing progression
Rotowire
Eflin (lat) played catch Wednesday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Eflin began a throwing progression after being shut down with a mild right lat strain one week ago. The veteran right-hander is optimistic his absence won't last long, but a clearer picture of Eflin's timetable won't be available until he's further along in his throwing program.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Will play catch soon
Rotowire
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday that Eflin's right lat strain is "very mild" and the pitcher's return is expected to be measured more in "weeks than months," Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Elias added that Eflin -- who was placed on the 15-day injured list April 9 -- is slated to play catch in a few days. It's too soon to know what Eflin's timetable to return is, but he does not appear headed for a long-term absence as long as he can avoid setbacks.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: IL move made official
Rotowire
The Orioles placed Eflin (lat) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Eflin was removed from his start Monday in Arizona with what the team initially referred to as shoulder fatigue, but an MRI revealed a low-grade lat strain. A timetable for Eflin will become clearer after he is cleared to throw, but he'll be shut down from activity for at least one week and will spend beyond the minimum 15 days on the IL.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: IL-bound with lat strain
Rotowire
Manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday that the Orioles will place Eflin on the 15-day injured list with a low-grade right lat strain, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Eflin was pulled from his start Monday against Arizona due to shoulder fatigue, but an MRI determined that he's contending with a lat injury. A return timetable may emerge once he's cleared to begin a throwing program, but he'll be shut down from activity for at least one week before the Orioles potentially clear him to start playing catch. The Orioles added Colin Selby to their taxi squad Tuesday, and he'll likely be formally recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday to replace Eflin on the active roster. The Orioles have an off day on Thursday, which would allow them to reshuffle their rotation and get by without a fifth starter until April 19 versus Cincinnati.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Departs early with shoulder fatigue
Rotowire
Eflin was removed from his start in Monday's 5-1 victory over the Diamondbacks due to right shoulder fatigue, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports. He picked up the win and allowed one run on four hits and struck out one over six innings prior to exiting.
Eflin was held to 73 pitches as a result of the shoulder issue, but he still managed to secure his second win of the campaign. Manager Brandon Hyde said after the game that the club will run further tests on the right-hander to determine the extent of the injury. Eflin noted that his removal was precautionary, and he's hopeful it isn't anything serious, per Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. He tentatively lines up for his second start of the week Sunday versus the Blue Jays in Baltimore.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Tough-luck loss in quality start
Rotowire
Eflin (1-1) was handed the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks in six innings Wednesday against Boston. He struck out five.
While Eflin registered a quality start, he was significantly outshined by Garrett Crochet's eight scoreless innings for the Red Sox. Trevor Story tagged Eflin for a solo home run in the second inning, and then the right-hander watched Ceddanne Rafaela and Rafael Devers plate one run apiece in the third frame. On tap for Eflin is a tough matchup early next week in Arizona, where he'll be seeking his third consecutive quality start to open the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Mostly cruises through six innings
Rotowire
Eflin (1-0) picked up the win after giving up two runs on two hits and two walks in six innings during Thursday's game against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
Eflin mostly cruised Thursday while getting plenty of run support, with Andres Gimenez's two-run home run in fourth inning serving as the brunt of the damage against him. Although the veteran right-hander posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 11.2 innings during spring training, he looked much sharper in his season debut. Eflin threw just 78 pitches, so he'll aim to further build up his pitch count in his next scheduled start Wednesday at home against the Red Sox.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Rocky start in Grapefruit League
Rotowire
Eflin threw 2.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks.
After allowing one run on four hits over two innings in his first start of spring training, Eflin now carries a 7.71 ERA and 1.93 WHIP with just one punchout across 4.2 frames. Fantasy managers will want to see some improvement out of the veteran right-hander in the second half of the spring schedule, as Eflin is still getting tuned up, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. "I feel like the stuff is good," Eflin said. "Command could be a little runner. Trying to sync up my mechanics a little bit." With the status of Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) uncertain, Eflin's spot atop Baltimore's rotation could take on even more importance by the time the regular season begins.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Set to start Game 2
Rotowire
Eflin will start Wednesday in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Royals, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
The Orioles dropped the first game of the series against the Royals on Tuesday, losing 1-0. Eflin did not have his strongest outing in his final start of the regular season Wednesday, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks across 4.2 innings. With a week of rest under his belt, the 30-year old will look to rebound in order to force Game 3.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Quality start vs. Giants
Rotowire
Eflin allowed two runs on six hits and a walk across six innings in a no-decision Thursday against San Francisco. He struck out five.
A Michael Conforto two-run homer in the fourth inning accounted for the only runs against Eflin as the right-hander earned a seventh quality start in eight outings with the Orioles -- he's posted a 2.31 ERA in that span. Overall, the 30-year-old Eflin is 10-9 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 133:19 K:BB across 160.2 innings this year between Baltimore and Tampa Bay. He's currently in line for a pivotal road matchup with the Yankees early next week in what's likely to be Eflin's final regular-season start.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Allows two homers in loss
Rotowire
Eflin (10-8) took the loss against the Rays on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Eflin coughed up two solo homers and was lifted at 91 pitches after allowing a run on three hits in the sixth inning. It was the 30-year-old's first loss with the Orioles and ended a streak of five consecutive quality-start victories since he debuted with the club July 29. On the season, he owns a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 125:17 K:BB across 148 innings and lines up to face the Tigers next week.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Fans nine in win
Rotowire
Eflin (10-7) allowed one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out nine and earning a win over Colorado.
Eflin returned from a brief stint on the injured list and showed no signs of rust. He rolled through six shutout frames before the Rockies finally pushed a run home in the seventh inning. Eflin forced 18 whiffs, including 13 with his curveball. He's been outstanding since being traded to the Orioles. In five starts with his new team, he's gone 5-0 with a 1.95 ERA and a 34:3 K:BB. The hot streak has lowered Eflin's season ERA to 3.60 with a 121:16 K:BB through 142.1 innings. He's currently lined up to face the Rays at home next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Expects minimum IL stay
Rotowire
Eflin (shoulder) said Thursday that he expects to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on Sept. 1, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Eflin landed on the IL on Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation but said Thursday that he already feels "10 times better" and doesn't believe he will need any rehab starts before returning. The righty has not yet resumed throwing, so while his comments Thursday are encouraging, Eflin's return when first eligible can't be written down in ink just yet.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: To IL with shoulder inflammation
Rotowire
The Orioles placed Eflin on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation.
Eflin had shown no signs of his shoulder bothering him, having turned in four straight quality starts with a 2.13 ERA since joining the Orioles. He had been in line to make his fifth start as a member of the Orioles on Wednesday versus the Mets but instead will be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks. Cade Povich has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and should slide into Eflin's rotation spot.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Wins fourth straight
Rotowire
Eflin (9-7) picked up the win over the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits over six innings while striking out eight.
Eflin allowed hits in four of his six innings of work but managed to keep Boston's offense at bay, aside from a leadoff homer by Wilyer Abreu to open the fourth. The right-hander induced 12 whiffs on the night and racked up a season-high eight strikeouts while not issuing a free pass for the second time in his last four starts. Eflin is now 4-0 since being acquired by the Orioles, logging quality starts in all four outings. Through three starts this month he carries a 1.40 ERA to go along with a robust 18:2 K:BB.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Blanks former team
Rotowire
Eflin (8-7) earned the win Friday over the Rays, allowing four hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
It was a dominant performance from Eflin against the club that shipped him north just before the trade deadline. The right-hander has won all three of his outings with Baltimore with three quality starts, allowing just five runs in 19.1 innings in that span. Eflin's ERA is down to 3.83 with a 1.15 WHIP and 104:15 K:BB in 22 starts (129.1 innings) between the Orioles and Rays. He's lined up for a home matchup with the Red Sox his next time out.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Secures another win Saturday
Rotowire
Eflin (7-7) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 6.1 innings.
Eflin didn't overwhelm -- he recorded a modest nine whiffs and three punchouts -- but the only runs he allowed came on a two-run homer by Angel Martinez in the third inning. The right-handed hurler has won both of his outings since joining Baltimore via a trade with Tampa Bay at the deadline; prior to the deal, he had gone three straight starts without a victory. Eflin also has recorded consecutive quality starts since joining the Orioles, as many as he had accumulated in his previous 11 appearances combined prior to the trade.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Nabs win in Baltimore debut
Rotowire
Eflin (6-7) earned the win against Toronto in the first game of Monday's doubleheader, allowing three runs on 10 hits and no walks while striking out seven betters over six innings.
After being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay on Friday, Eflin got the ball for Game 1 of Monday's twin bill. The right-hander wasn't at his sharpest, as he gave up a season-high 10 hits, but he was able to go just deep enough and pitch just well enough to pick up both a quality start and a victory. Eflin also tied his campaign high with seven punchouts while inducing 12 whiffs. His next start is tentatively slated to come in Cleveland this weekend.
