TAMPA—Zach Eflin threw 68 pitches in four innings for the Florida Complex League Orioles on Friday. He threw three hitless innings. In the fourth, he allowed three hits and five unearned runs.
Eflin, who’s on the 15-day injured list with a lower back injury, said the back feels strong . He said he felt better within seven to 10 days after the June 28th start against Tampa Bay when he first felt the discomfort.
“I’ve been eager. I feel like I’ve been ready,” Eflin said. “Back feels great, so I’m ready to go.”
Eflin hasn’t been told if he’ll start on Wednesday or Thursday at Cleveland. If he pitches then, he should have two starts in advance of the July 31st trade deadline.
“It’s kind of a mentality when I’m on the IL, I don’t want to be on the IL,’ Eflin said. “I want to be back. It doesn’t matter if there’s a trade deadline coming up. It could be at any point in the season. I’m not trying to be on the IL, ever.”
The 31-year-old right-hander came to the Orioles from the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of last year’s trade deadline.
“When I got traded here last year, it wasn’t easy moving here with four kids in a matter of a day or two,” Eflin said. “It’s part of the game. I don’t think anybody’s focused on that. We’re here to win and focusing on today.”
Interim manager Tony Mansollno said there would be a plan for Eflin’s return to the Orioles soon.
Basallo resting: Triple-A Norfolk catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo won’t be playing this weekend because of right oblique discomfort.
Right-hander Kyle Bradish threw two innings in a simulated game at Sarasota, and Oriole coaches who watched him were impressed.
“Our pitching coach went down there and they watched him and they said he was coming out hot,” Mansolino said. “He kind of looked like himself, threw the ball great. As we get through tonight and tomorrow and everything checks out, there will probably be a plan in place for a rehab stint.”
Left-hander Keegan Akin, who’s on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation, will throw in Sarasota on Monday and then go on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk.
Right-hander Albert Suárez, who’s on the 60-day injured list with a rotator cuff injury, is getting closer to throwing live batting practice, Mansolino said, but “nothing imminent in terms of facing hitters in a rehab game.”
Right-hander Tyler Wells, who’s rehabbing after right elbow surgery last June, will throw live batting practice in Sarasota on Sunday.
Mayo leans on Stowers: Coby Mayo tries to identify with Kyle Stowers, his former teammate at Triple-A Norfolk, who’s blossomed since he was traded from the Orioles to Miami last July 30th.
Mayo and Stowers share the experience of getting limited playing time in multiple stints with the Orioles before being returned to the minor leagues.
“I actually had a talk with Stowers last year, and I asked him: ‘Would you rather be in the big leagues, not playing much, or down in Triple-A, playing every day?
“He said playing in the big leagues is very valuable, even if you’re not playing, just learning, being able to watch the game and be around the coaches, and look what’s happened with him. He got the opportunity this year, and he’s gone out there and crushed it.”
After hitting three home runs against the Orioles on Sunday, Stowers hit two home runs, one in the first, and another in the 10th, to win it for Miami. In his last two games, Stowers has eight hits, five home runs and 11 RBIs.
Stowers and Mayo had dinner together last week when the Marlins were in Baltimore, and Mayo brought up that chat with him.
“I told you absolutely, you always want to be in the big leagues,” Stowers reiterated. “You’re living your dream, and every day, you get the opportunity, even if you’re not playing to be the next guy up.”
Mayo said that he’s learned a lot in the four stints in the big leagues since he first came up on August 2nd, 2024.
“A lot more comfortable,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect when I got called up. I thought I was going to hit the ground running and never look back. Obviously, I didn’t have the start I wanted to, but I’m happy where I’m at now. I think there are a lot of improvements still out there … You never know what happens. You can have a good week and get hot.”
Notes: Cedric Mullins isn’t in the lineup because Mansolino wants to make sure all his position players get to play in the first few days after the All-Star break. Mullins is one home run away from becoming the third Oriole with 100 homers and 100 steals in a career. Brady Anderson and Paul Blair are the others.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.