BALTIMORE (AP) — Zach Eflin was abruptly pulled from Tuesday night’s game between the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers with right elbow discomfort in the fourth inning.
Eflin struck out seven in 3 2/3 innings, allowing only one run on a solo homer by Ezequiel Duran in the third. With two on and two out in the fourth, there was a meeting on the mound when Duran came to the plate again. Eflin threw one more pitch, a ball, and then there was another meeting — this one including manager Craig Albernaz.
Eflin was lifted and replaced by reliever Grant Wolfram, who got the third out.
The Orioles re-signed Eflin to a one-year deal for $10 million this past offseason. It includes a $25 million mutual option or a $2 million buyout for 2027, with escalators for both: $1 million if he makes 15 starts this year, $1.5 million for 20 and $2.5 million for 25.
Eflin went 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA during an injury-plagued 2025 for the Orioles, and his season ended early because of back issues.
If Eflin has to miss significant time, Dean Kremer would appear to be the next option after he was sent down to start the season in the minors.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Noah Trister, The Associated Press
