The Orioles announced that Eflin underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy surgery Monday in Florida, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Eflin's surgery appears to have gone off without any complications, and the right-hander is optimistic that he'll have a normal offseason after about 12 weeks and rest and rehab. In total, Eflin will face an estimated recovery timeline of 4-to-8 months, so he could be at risk of missing spring training and the start of the 2026 season if he veers toward the latter end of that range. Eflin, who went 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB across 71.1 innings in his 14 starts with the Orioles before landing on the injured list July 31, is set to become a free agent this winter.
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Orioles' Zach Eflin: Shifts to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Orioles transferred Eflin (back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
Eflin is out for the season after the Orioles confirmed that he would undergo back surgery during the upcoming week, so his move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural. The veteran right-hander is expected to face a 4-to-8 month recovery from surgery, so his availability for the start of the 2026 season is in question. The 31-year-old is set to become a free agent this winter.
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Orioles' Zach Eflin: Recovery to take 4-to-8 months
Rotowire
Eflin will undergo back surgery Monday and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-8 months, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Eflin had already been ruled out for the season after it was revealed he would need lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, and now there's a firmer timetable for the right-hander's recovery. The 31-year-old is hopeful the operation will allow him to put his nagging back issues -- which he revealed Wednesday have been a problem off and on for the past 5-to-6 years -- behind him, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. An impending free agent, Eflin hopes to be ready for the start of spring training, but it's not a given.
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Orioles' Zach Eflin: Out for season
Rotowire
Interim manager Tony Mansolino said Tuesday that Eflin (back) will undergo lumbar microdiscectomy surgery and will miss the rest of the 2025 season, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The 31-year-old received an injection to address his lower-back discomfort in early August shortly after landing on the injured list, but he's now headed for season-ending surgery. It was a difficult contract year for Eflin, who had three different stints on the injured list and will close the campaign with a 5.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB across 71.1 innings.
Orioles manager Tony Mansolino said Sunday that Eflin received an injection to address his lower-back discomfort, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Eflin is on the injured list for the second time in the past two months due to the back issue, which resurfaced after he made just two starts for Baltimore following his return from the IL. The Orioles are hoping that the injection will provide Eflin with some more permanent relief, but Mansolino noted that the right-hander is without a timeline to resume throwing. Given the Orioles' standing as non-playoff contenders, Eflin will likely be brought along deliberately even once he's cleared to start throwing again.
The Orioles placed Eflin on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to low-back discomfort.
Eflin will hit the shelf for the third time this season and for the second time in just over a month due to continued back problems. After being reinstated last week, Eflin made just two starts for the Orioles before suffering an apparent setback. Baltimore recalled right-hander Brandon Young from Double-A Chesapeake in a corresponding move, and he or the rehabbing Cade Povich (hip) could be called upon to replace Eflin in the rotation the next time his turn comes up.
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Orioles' Zach Eflin: Likely bound for IL
Rotowire
The Orioles are expected to place Eflin on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
The report doesn't specify what kind of injury Eflin is dealing with, but he just returned from a back issue last week after missing nearly a month of action. Rosenthal relays that it's "very possible" Eflin is still traded ahead of Thursday's deadline even though he's hurt, as he is expected to be back before the end of the season. The veteran righty holds a 5.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB across 71.1 innings this season.
Eflin did not factor into the decision in Monday's 11-4 win over the Blue Jays, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
Eflin threw 56 of 79 pitches for strikes but managed just six whiffs while giving up nine hard-hit balls, including two homers in the third inning. Some rust is understandable in his second start back from the injured list, but it marked the fifth time in 14 outings the 31-year-old has allowed multiple home runs. He'll carry a 5.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB across 71.1 innings into a tough road matchup with the Cubs this weekend.
Eflin didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.
Eflin was sharp in his first start since returning from the injured list, and he experienced smooth sailing until the Guardians brought in a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The veteran right-hander managed to toss 84 pitches, and he also generated a respectable 10 whiffs. Eflin owns a 5.78 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB over 67 innings, and he'll aim to further increase his pitch count in his next scheduled appearance versus the Blue Jays.
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Orioles' Zach Eflin: Activated ahead of start
Rotowire
The Orioles activated Eflin (back) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Eflin will rejoin the Orioles rotation Wednesday with a start against the Guardians after being sidelined nearly a month due to lower-back discomfort. The veteran right-hander threw 68 pitches over four innings in his final rehab outing in the rookie-level Florida Complex League last Friday, so Eflin will be somewhat limited from a workload perspective Wednesday.
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Returning from IL on Wednesday
Rotowire
Interim manager Tony Mansolino said Eflin (back) will be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday against the Guardians, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
The veteran right-hander has been sidelined nearly a month due to lower-back discomfort but is ready to rejoin the O's after making two rehab starts in the minors. Eflin threw 68 pitches over four innings during the second rehab outing and is likely to face some workload limitations in his first start back with Baltimore.
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