The Orioles positioned Zach Eflin on the 15-day injured listing, retroactive to Aug. 17, on account of shoulder irritation, per a staff announcement. Baltimore additionally positioned Keegan Akin on the paternity listing. Rookie Cade Povich and reliever Dillon Tate are up from Triple-A Norfolk to take the open spots on the lively roster.
The Orioles acquired Eflin of their greatest transfer on the deadline. The righty had carried a 4.09 earned run common via 19 begins with the Rays within the season’s first half. He has gotten out to a unbelievable begin to his O’s tenure. Eflin has surrendered solely six runs via his first 4 begins. He’s averaging almost 6 1/3 innings per look and has turned in a stellar 25:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
That positions Eflin because the O’s No. 2 or No. 3 starter in a hypothetical playoff sequence. Corbin Burnes would absolutely get Sport 1, whereas Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez are the presumptive selections for the subsequent two appearances in the event that they’re wholesome. Each pitchers are presently on the injured listing, however it doesn’t appear Eflin’s subject is as worrisome as Rodriguez’s is. Whereas the teenager is capturing for a late September return after struggling a lat pressure, Eflin won’t miss way more than the minimal 15 days. Skipper Brandon Hyde instructed the Baltimore beat he’s hopeful that it’ll be a short-term keep, through Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.
Even a quick absence may have a major impression on the AL East race. Baltimore is simply half a recreation behind the Yankees for each the division lead and the most effective report within the American League. The O’s rotation depth has lengthy been the largest query mark on a really robust roster. With Kyle Bradish and John Means finished for the season, Baltimore has deadline pickup Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer and Albert Suárez as its subsequent three starters behind Burnes.
Rogers struggled for a lot of the season with the Marlins and has been hit particularly arduous in 4 begins since touchdown in Baltimore. Kremer appears to be like like a fifth starter. Suárez has proved to be a wonderful discover in his return to the large leagues after seven years, however he’s in all probability greatest suited to a back-end or swing position on a contender. The Orioles might want to land on a fifth starter with Eflin out of motion and just one off day between now and Sept. 5. Povich, one of many group’s prime pitching prospects, looks as if the selection. He has had a tough opening to his MLB profession, permitting a 5.77 ERA with a equally underwhelming strikeout and stroll profile throughout his first 9 begins.
