BALTIMORE—It’s been a forgettable season for starting pitcher Zach Eflin. The Orioles’ right-hander has been on the injured list three times, once for a lat injury in April, and twice for lower back discomfort.
Eflin, who last pitched on July 28th, will have surgery on Monday to relieve the persistent pain in the back caused by a disc pressing on a nerve. The lumbar microdiscectomy should help the 31-year-old feel better about his future.
He said he’s been on the injured list every year for the past six years for back issues.
“It’s just gotten progressively worse,” Eflin said. “A couple of months ago, the MRI was a little worse than it was previously. It seems like the disc is in a place where it’s pushing against my nerve, and it’s not going away. Tried an epidural, and it didn’t really work, and the next step is to get it taken care of and be ready for spring training.”
Eflin came to the Orioles in July 2024 from the Tampa Bay Rays, and was 11-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 23 starts since then. This year, he started 14 times and was 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA.
“This year, it’s been disappointing, depressing,” he said. “I’ve just tried to throw a baseball. I wasn’t necessarily comfortable all the time, and it’s not a real good place to be.
“I don’t like thinking back on it because I didn’t necessarily feel good at times when I threw, but I also didn’t pitch well at the same time. I feel like I owe this team a lot more than I gave them, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to take care of my back. I’ve got to get something done. I’ve got to get healthy again and show up ready to go.”
Could Eflin, who’ll be a free agent, return to the Orioles in 2026?
“Absolutely. I love this clubhouse,” Eflin said. “I’ve told pretty much everybody. We’ve had a conversation about that. I love this place. I’d love to be here. We’re going to get the operation done and see where it takes us.”
Eflin will rehab at home in central Florida and try to extend his career.
“This has only fueled me to play longer because I wasn’t happy about this year,” Eflin said. “It’s been the past five, six years where I’ve had a tight back most of the year, every year, so I’m excited to see what that feels like to pitch without having to think about other things.”
The surgery could provide permanent relief.
“It should be. All signs point to that,” he said. “Moreso, it’s going to be on me to stay on top of the rehab for it. The core work that goes along with it is going to be a huge part of my career moving forward. Everything that I’ve read and have seen other guys go through, it takes their pain away as long as they stay on top of the core work.”
Eflin thinks that he’ll be ready for spring training.
“I’ve heard anywhere from four to eight months, so it depends on how the postop stuff goes, how everything responds, and how everything is moving post- surgery,” Eflin said. “I don’t’ expect not to be ready for spring training. From what I’ve heard from the surgeon, after 12 weeks, I’m ready to have a normal offseason, so I’m optimistic that it’s not going to be a long thing.”
The father of four is hoping his day-to-day life improves.
“That was another big reason why I wanted to get this done.,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily only affect me here. I’ve got to be a dad. I’ve got to be able to pick up my kids and stuff, so I think with this operation, it’s going to help me be a better dad, too.”
Cowser, O’Neill returns delayed
Outfielders Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill won’t return as quickly as interim manager Tony Mansolino hoped. Cowser is on the 7-day concussion injured list and is eligible to return on Thursday. O’Neill is on the 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation. He could return on Saturday, but won’t.
“Cowser, a little bit slower than we probably had anticipated,” Mansolino said. “But I don’t see it as being too long. Still going through concussion protocol. I think the first day he could come off is tomorrow. That’s not going to happen. I think in the near future we’ll see him in a major league game.”
Mansolino had hoped O’Neill, who’s on the IL for the third time this season, would be out for just the mandated 10 days.
“Probably a little bit longer than we had initially expected,” Mansolino said. “My guess is if we see him at the end of August, it would be really good, but I would anticipate more early September. The longer it goes, the more likely we’ll have to send him out to get a couple of at-bats before he plays in a big league game.”
Cowser, who missed two months after fracturing his left thumb diving headfirst into first base in Toronto on March 30th, has played in just 56 games. O’Neill, who was on the injured list for shoulder and back injuries, has played in only 43 games.
Note: Right-handed pitcher Houston Roth cleared outright waivers and has been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.
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