Orioles’ Starter Leaves Game With Right Elbow Injury

It was Eflin’s first start since July of last season. After being named the Orioles’ Opening Day pitcher last year, Eflin struggled with a 5.93 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in just 71.1 innings of work. His season was cut short in August as the pitcher required a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure for his back. Eflin headed into the offseason as a free agent, unsure of where he would play next.

In December, Eflin resigned with the Orioles on a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2027. Eflin was impressive in Spring Training, pitching in 7.1 innings and not allowing a single run and just two hits in 25 batters faced. Perhaps more impressive was his 10:1 strikeout to walk ratio. Eflin appeared to have no ill effects from his surgery and looked to fortify the back-end of a much-improved Orioles rotation.

On Tuesday night, Eflin did not stop in at the dugout; he walked right down the tunnel to the team’s medical room. He was able to walk off under his own power, which reinforces the team’s earlier announcement that the injury Eflin had suffered was in his elbow. Given the potential outcomes for pitchers with elbow discomfort, at least a short stint on the Injured List is all but certain for Eflin.

If Eflin were to miss a significant period of time, it would likely mean that either Dean Kremer or Cade Povich would be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Kremer is slated to start on Friday, but could be bumped to Monday, which would have been Eflin’s next scheduled start against the Chicago White Sox. It has been a frustrating couple of seasons for Eflin, and Orioles fans will be hoping that it isn’t another lost year for the pitcher.