NEW YORK — The Orioles were dealt yet another injury to the starting rotation Tuesday when the club announced right-hander Zach Eflin landed on the 15-day injured list for right shoulder inflammation.
Eflin felt soreness after his last start on Aug. 15, when he allowed one run in six innings. It had been improving, but he threw on Tuesday afternoon and still felt some lingering discomfort.
“We just felt like the best thing to do right now was to give him a little bit of extra time with his shoulder,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We’re optimistic that he’s going to not miss much time after the IL, if any. It’s a big loss, he’s pitched great for us.”
In four starts since joining Baltimore, Eflin has a 2.13 ERA. He has allowed just two walks with 25 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings.
Hyde announced after the Orioles’ 9-5 win over the Mets Tuesday that left-hander Cole Irvin, who started 14 games before moving to the bullpen in July and later being sent down to Triple-A Norfolk, will return to the Orioles and start Wednesday.
The injury to Eflin, who has been a revelation since arriving ahead of the trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays, is the latest to impact a pitching staff that has already lost three starters to season-ending ailments. Right-handers Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish and left-hander John Means underwent elbow surgeries; and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez is on the 15-day injured list with a strain of the teres major muscle.
“We’ve had our share, no doubt,” Hyde said. “Zach’s been everything we’ve asked and more. I know he’s really disappointed also, he was hoping to make that start tomorrow. We’ll just give him a little time off and he’ll be back out there for us.”
Corbin Burnes would be on full rest, but he is not an option. Neither is lefty Cade Povich, who was recalled to replace Eflin but last pitched four days ago. Since he was optioned on Sunday, they would have to use him as the injury replacement if they planned on pitching him in the coming days. A pitcher who is optioned is not eligible to return to the majors for 15 days, unless they are taking the spot of an injured player.
The Orioles have their eye on Brandon Young, a promising starter in Triple-A, but Wednesday would also be short rest for him. That left Irvin, who has a 4.85 ERA in 21 appearances, or Bruce Zimmerman as their only starter options to pull from.
Meanwhile, left-handed reliever Keegan Akin has left the team on paternity leave and right-hander Dillon Tate was called up.
