LOS ANGELES—The Orioles haven’t named a starting pitcher for Sunday’s game in Colorado, and manager Brandon Hyde said that Zach Eflin, who’s on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, is a possibility.
Sunday is the first day Eflin is eligible to come off the injured list.
“I know he was going to throw today,” Hyde said. “There’s a chance he pitches Sunday.”
Infielder Jordan Westburg, who fractured his right hand when he was hit by a pitch on July 31st, continues to take ground balls.
“He’s progressing extremely well,” Hyde said. “One hand, one arm stuff in the cages the last week or so. Doing some more baseball activities, trying to get in game shape as much as possible so when he does come off the IL he’s as close as he could possibly be, but he’s still on the same timeline.”
Left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe, who had bone chips removed from his left elbow, and is on the 60-day injured list, is also doing well.
“No change in the timeline, sometime mid-to-late September would be when we’re looking for him to be here if everything works out from now until then,” Hyde said.
Grayson Rodriguez, who’s on the 15-day injured list with right lat/teres discomfort, said that he’s close to throwing off the mound.
“Exactly what day, I’m not really sure,” he said.
If Coulombe, Rodriguez and Westburg can be back sometime next month, those could be key additions.
“We think about it every day,” Rodriguez said. “Obviously, we’re missing some pieces right now, still playing good baseball. Last year we did really well in the regular season, the playoffs didn’t go how we wanted them to, so this year we’re really going to be focusing on October more, not just the regular season.
“Guys are trying to preserve themselves for the postseason because ultimately that’s what’s most important. Everybody wants to win the division. That’s fine, that’s the goal, but the World Series, you want to be the winner at the very end.”
Hyde reiterated that infielder Jorge Mateo, who had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, could be ready for Opening Day 2025.
“You never know how the rehab’s going to go, whether there’s going to be any setbacks. It’s his non-throwing elbow, which is a shorter amount of time. Hopefully, there’s no hiccups, but I think it’s realistic it could be around Opening Day is a good timeline.”