NEW YORK—Zach Eflin won’t be making his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Mets. Eflin was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Saturday, because of right shoulder inflammation.
Eflin became the first Oriole pitcher to win each of his first four games as a starter on August 15th. He’s 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA with the Orioles and 9-7 with a 3.72 ERA overall. He was acquired from Tampa Bay on July 26th.
The Orioles now have eight pitchers on the injured list: starters Eflin, Kyle Bradish, John Means, Grayson Rodriguez and Tyler Wells, and relievers Félix Bautista, Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb.
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“We’ve had our share,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “There’s no doubt. You hate to lose pitching right now. Zach’s been everything you asked and more since we’ve gotten him in the trade deadline. He’s really disappointed. He was hoping to make that start tomorrow. Just give him a little bit of time off, and he’ll be back out there for us.”
Eflin, Rodriguez and Webb are on the 15-day injured list. The others are on the 60-day IL.
“Hopefully, it’s short-term,” Hyde said. “After his [last] start, his shoulder was a little bit sore. It had been getting better these last few days, so were hopeful, but a little bit concerned about being able to make the start tomorrow and had him come out and throw a little bit today.
“We feel like the best thing to do right now is to give him a little bit of extra time with the shoulder. We’re optimistic that he’s going to be able to not miss much time after the IL, if any. It’s a big loss. He’s pitched great for us. Hopefully we’ll have him in September.”
Hyde said after Tuesday night’s 9-5 win over the Mets that veteran left-hander Cole Irvin will start on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Orioles recalled left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A. He’s 1-6 with a 5.77 ERA.
“We’ve lost a lot of guys that could really help,” Hyde said. “We’ve been pretty fortunate the last couple of years and this year, we’ve been hit with the injury bug. It happens so we’ve got to keep going. The games aren’t going to stop waiting for guys.
“Guys are going to have to step up. Other teams are having similar issues. Hopefully, we get these guys back healthy in September, a few of them at least, and keep going.”
Left-handed reliever Keegan Akin has been placed on the paternity list and replaced by right-hander Dillon Tate, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.
Tate was 2-1 with a 4.59 ERA and a save in 29 games.