Orioles' Eflin goes on IL with lat strain
The Baltimore Orioles lost another starting pitcher to the injured list.
Right-hander Zach Eflin was placed on the 15-day IL with a lat strain, the club announced Wednesday
Eflin will be shut down for around a week, manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday following the team's 4-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sun. A firm timetable for his return was not announced.
Eflin left Monday's start after just 73 pitches due to what the team called shoulder fatigue. Though he was effective during the outing, allowing just one run on four hits before being removed, his velocity declined as the game progressed.
The 30-year-old also missed time last season due to shoulder inflammation.
Eflin's injury is the latest blow to an Orioles rotation that's been without several key members to start the season. Grayson Rodriguez has been dealing with elbow inflammation since spring training and Kyle Bradish is continuing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, while Tyler Wells, Trevor Rogers, and Chayce McDermott are also on the IL.
Baltimore also lost swingman Albert Suárez to a shoulder issue after just one regular-season appearance. Suárez was transferred to the 60-day IL on Monday and is expected to miss a few months of action.
Eflin, the Orioles' Opening Day starter, is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and eight strikeouts through three starts to start 2025. He's in his first full season with the O's after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in a midseason trade last July.
Right-hander Colin Selby was recalled from Triple-A to take Eflin's spot on the active roster.