In Arlington, Texas, the Baltimore Orioles faced a setback as right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin was placed on the 15-day injured list due to discomfort in his lower back.
The team also saw catcher Chadwick Tromp leave the field during the early innings of the first game in a series against Texas. Tromp’s exit in the third inning was a result of tightness in his lower back.
This unexpected shift prompted Gary Sánchez to transition from designated hitter to catcher. Subsequently, pitcher Trevor Rogers was brought into the lineup. Using a borrowed bat from Ryan Mountcastle and his own helmet, Rogers struck out in the fourth inning’s first out.
The Orioles were already navigating the season without catchers Adley Rutschman and Maverick Handley, who are both sidelined due to injuries.
Eflin sustained his injury during a game against Tampa Bay, where the Orioles suffered an 11-3 loss. During that outing, Eflin allowed four runs and five hits in merely one inning before being substituted by Scott Blewett.
According to manager Tony Mansolino, Eflin is dealing with a back strain. Mansolino remarked, “We’re in the process of gathering all the details. It’s difficult to assess the situation or make predictions until we have the full picture.”
In related updates, Mansolino mentioned that pitcher Charlie Morton’s schedule has been adjusted due to minor elbow tendinitis. This means Morton’s appearance is postponed until Friday night when the team plays in Atlanta, with Brandon Young stepping in for Tuesday’s game.
Eflin, who had the honor of starting the Orioles’ opening game this season, has encountered a challenging season, reflected in his 6-5 record with a 5.95 ERA over 12 games. He was previously on the injured list from early April to mid-May because of a right lat strain.
In his recent three starts, Eflin has struggled significantly, recording an 0-3 tally with a staggering 17.00 ERA, conceding 27 hits over nine innings during this period.
The Orioles tapped into their Triple-A Norfolk resources to call up Brandon Young, who has pitched in three games this year for the team, holding an 0-2 record with a 7.11 ERA.