The Baltimore Orioles placed right-hander Zach Eflin on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, further impacting their already weakened pitching rotation.
Eflin was set to start Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets. However, manager Brandon Hyde said Eflin experienced shoulder soreness after pitching six solid innings in a 5-1 win over Boston on Thursday night.
The 30-year-old Eflin has been impressive, with a 4-0 record and a 2.13 ERA in four starts since joining the team in a trade with Tampa Bay on July 26.
Hyde hopes that Eflin will only need a short time on the injured list. “He’s been great for us,” Hyde said. “Hopefully we’ll have him in September.”
Hyde also mentioned that ace Corbin Burnes, who pitched on Friday, won’t start on Wednesday. “Everything’s in play for (Wednesday),” Hyde said. “Not really sure at this point.”
To fill Eflin’s spot, the Orioles have recalled rookie left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk. Povich has made nine starts for Baltimore, including Saturday when he allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings against the Red Sox.
Eflin is the sixth Orioles starter to go on the injured list. Burnes is the only member of the opening-day rotation still with the big league team all season.
Last year, the Orioles had five pitchers make at least 20 starts and finished with a 101-61 record, winning the AL East for the first time since 2014.
“We got pretty fortunate the last couple years,” Hyde said. “This year, we’re getting hit with the injury bug a little bit. It happens. We’ve just got to keep going. Games aren’t going to stop to wait for guys. We have to have guys step up.”
