Mar 27, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin (24) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
TORONTO—With Grayson Rodriguez out for the near future, the Orioles’ unquestioned No. 1 starter is Zach Eflin. The 30-year-old right-hander probably would have been chosen as the Opening Day starter even if Rodriguez hadn’t gone to the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
The Orioles are going to need Eflin’s steadiness in the coming weeks, and he was the beneficiary of the six-homer, 12-run outburst in the Orioles’ 12-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.
“So consistent, the composure and poise and the pitch-making ability to both sides of the plate,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Not an easy lineup to pitch to, especially in the middle there, the way he can cut the ball, the way he can run his two-seamer to both sides, change speeds, it’s a tough at-bat.”
Eflin allowed two runs on two hits, walking one and striking out two, in six efficient innings.
“Obviously, the cushion in the beginning, getting the runs across the board,” Eflin said. “But just having the mindset of going after guys and trusting my stuff and trying to get weak contact and stay in the game as long as possible is kind of what I stick to throughout my career. But, obviously, the big run support early in the game lets me kind of work more freely in that.”
Coincidentally, Eflin faced José Berríos for the second straight opener, including last year when he was with Tampa Bay. On March 28th, 2024, he allowed six runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Although it was Opening Day on Thursday, Eflin didn’t feel it was special.
“Not for me today, honestly. It felt like really any other game,” Eflin said. “In reality, this is the first game of 162 … I felt calm, confident, ready to go. Also, like that mindset is from a great clubhouse, a bunch of guys that care about each other and trust each other. So being able to feel that support while you’re out on the mound is huge. This team is so close, and it’s going to be a lot of fun this year. But it’s very comforting knowing that people have your back when you’re out there, and that goes for every position on the field.”
Catcher Adley Rutschman hit two home runs and said catching Eflin was a pleasure.
“I thought he did a good job of just moving his stuff around,” he said. “Thought he was able to locate his two-seam, work his slider-curveball combo really efficiently and get quick outs and, to be able to go six innings, 78 pitches, that gives our bullpen some relief, and he did a great job today.
Rutschman liked that Eflin didn’t treat Opening Day as something extraordinary.
“I think that’s one of the things that makes him so great is he’s just super consistent in his routine and the way he goes about his stuff,” Rutschman said. “Obviously, everyone’s excited, but he went about his same routine and and went out in there and did a great job.”
Rutschman embraces Opening Day nerves
There must be something special about Opening Day for Rutschman. In three openers, he’s 10-for-14 with three home runs and nine RBIs. He hit two on Thursday. He’s 15-for-25 against José Berrios.
“Definitely some nerves rolling around today,” he said. “But I think just more of an appreciation for Opening Day, and just kind of enjoying the nervousness, the excitement that surrounds it and you only get so many of them, and I think that was kind of my goal going into into this year, into this Opening Day, is really just to try and enjoy it as much as I can. And we got such a great group, and it would be a shame to not enjoy it with them.”
Mullins enjoys important opener
It was the fifth straight Opening Day for Mullins in center field, his first with a two-homer game.
“It’s always exciting. I always get the early butterflies and anticipation of getting out there and getting the season going,” Mullins said. “Guys today really controlled those emotions and we put some good things together.”
Mullins is entering his free-agent year but says there’s no pressure there.
“Not really. I think the mindset of just continuing to play my game, keep it simple, good things will come from that. Staying positive, and good things will happen,” he said.
Suárez to the bullpen
Albert Suárez was last season’s feel-good story. After six seasons of pitching in the minor leagues, Japan and South Korea, Suarez had a breakout season in 2024, beginning the season in the minor leagues before he was added to the Orioles’ roster on April 17th. He ended up with a 9-6 record and 3.70 ERA. His 24 starts tied him with Dean Kremer for second most on the club behind ace Corbin Burnes.
Despite his excellent work last season, Suárez begins this season in the bullpen with Cade Povich chosen as the fifth starter. The 24-year-old left-hander will get the Opening Day assignment at Camden Yards on Monday.
When Suárez was approached about the move on Wednesday, he said he was glad because at 35, he finally made a major league team’s Opening Day roster.
“The way we’re going to start out, anything can happen,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We’ve seen that the past few years. As of right now, he’s going to be a long, swing guy where he’s going to give us multiple innings out of the bullpen. Does he get reinserted in the rotation soon? That’s yet to be determined as well as him being ready to be a starter at some point throughout the season also. Right now, he’s going to be a long man in the bullpen.”
Hyde didn’t worry about Orioles being ready
For six weeks, the Orioles prepared methodically in spring training. Each night, Hyde got to spend the night at his Sarasota home after watching his players ramp up for the 2025 season.
Spring training is so different from the regular season. Just four days ago, the Orioles were playing games in Florida, substituting liberally and restricting innings. Now, they’re playing intense games, but Hyde isn’t worried about the sudden difference.
“I think you try to prepare the best way you possibly can,” he said. “Every day your regular guys, you start them out, mapping out their spring. A lot of these guys have been around a while. I talk it through with them. I set their calendar. These guys know what they need to get ready. Last week, you see guys play more back-to-backs. The innings are extended defensively.”
More streaming coming
Friday’s game will be the first of three scheduled games on AppleTV+. The Orioles will also be on AppleTV+ on June 13th against the Los Angeles Angels and June 27th against Tampa Bay.
They’ll be on Roku on June 22nd at the New York Yankees and July 6th at Atlanta, both at 11:35 a.m.
AppleTV+ and Roku haven’t scheduled past the All-Star break, so it’s likely the Orioles will be featured on more streaming games.
They’ll also be on FOX on May 3rd against Kansas City, August 21st against Houston, August 30th at San Francisco and September 18 versus the New York Yankees.
ESPN has not scheduled the Orioles for any “Sunday Night Baseball” telecasts, but the network has only announced part of its schedule.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I answer Orioles questions. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com
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