Eflin (4-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing three hits over seven scoreless innings against the Pirates. He struck out 10.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin improved on his impressive start to 2023, picking up his fourth win in five starts and blanking the Pirates. The 29-year-old went over six innings for the first time in 2023 and set a new season high with 10 punchouts. Through 28.0 innings, Eflin holds a 2.25 ERA with a 31:3 K/BB. Though his strong start to 2023 has been unexpected given his 4.40 career ERA, it wouldn't be surprising for Eflin's success to continue considering the Rays have a knack for getting the best out of starting pitchers.

Eflin didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the White Sox, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Facing Chicago for the second straight outing, Eflin served up solo homers to Andrew Vaughn in the first inning and Jake Burger in the second but otherwise was sharp, tossing 47 of 74 pitches for strikes before exiting with the score tied 2-2. Eflin has had an impressive beginning to his Rays tenure despite missing a couple turns in the rotation due to back trouble, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB through 21 innings. He'll look to run his record to 4-0 in his next start, likely to come next week in a home series against the Pirates.

Eflin (3-0) got the win Sunday over the White Sox after allowing one run on three hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin returned to the mound Sunday for the first time in just over two weeks and pitched very effectively for his third win in as many tries. The White Sox got to him in the fourth with two doubles, but he otherwise felt little pressure throughout the day. Eflin has managed to top 80 pitches just once so far, as manager Kevin Cash seems to be erring on the side of caution with Eflin's pitch count early on in the season. Nonetheless, the 29-year-old has been a successful addition to the rotation thus far, and heads into his next start with a 2.81 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB over 16 innings.

Eflin (back) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and will start Sunday against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old has been sidelined the past couple weeks with lower-back tightness, but he'll end up requiring only a 15-day stint on the shelf. Eflin had a 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB in 11 frames across his first two starts prior to the injury. He could face some workload limitations in his return Sunday since he didn't make any rehab starts.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Eflin (back) looked good in a bullpen session Monday and is on track to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday against the White sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin was placed on the IL on April 11 due to lower-back tightness, but barring any further setbacks, he should be in line for activation when first eligible this weekend. The right-hander had pitched well before the injury, compiling a 3.27 ERA and 12:1 K:BB over 11 innings.

Eflin was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Rays on Tuesday with lower-back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin had pitched well in his first two starts of the season but evidently has battled through the back issue "here and there," he told Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun on Tuesday. Imaging on Eflin's back came back clean, so he should have a good shot to return when first eligible on April 23. Taj Bradley will come up to start in his place Wednesday versus the Red Sox.

Eflin (2-0) allowed three runs on nine hits over six innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win against Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin was fairly efficient Friday, firing 60 of 82 pitches for strikes, including nine whiffs. Ryan Noda's solo shot in the third inning was the first homer he'd allowed this season. Eflin now has a strong 12:1 K:BB with a 3.27 ERA through 11 innings. He's projected to face the Red Sox at home next week.

Eflin (1-0) allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out five across five innings to earn the win Saturday against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin took the mound for the first time in the regular season as a member of the Rays, and he delivered a strong performance. The lone earned run against him came in the fourth inning after he allowed a leadoff double. Otherwise, Eflin was in control and generated six groundball outs along with 13 swinging strikes across 74 total pitches. The only downside to the outing was that the Rays pulled him early in the game, and that may not be likely to change moving forward given the team's preference to aggressively deploy its bullpen and limit its starters' exposure to opposing lineups.

Manager Kevin Cash confirmed Eflin will start the Rays' second game of the season Saturday versus the Tigers at Tropicana Field, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays are expected to roll out Shane McClanahan, Eflin and Jeffrey Springs as their starters for the season-opening series with Detroit, while Drew Rasmussen, Josh Fleming and McClanahan are slated to pick up starting nods in the following series in Washington next week. Eflin, who signed a three-year, $40 million deal with Tampa Bay in December, built up to 3.1 innings in his most recent Grapefruit League start March 20, so he could have some light restrictions with his pitch count in his regular-season debut.

Eflin threw 3.1 innings while allowing four earned runs on seven hits in Monday's Grapefruit League against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't an ideal outing from Eflin, and he has now allowed six earned runs across his last 7.1 innings of work during spring training. Neither he nor manager Kevin Cash were concerned however, as Eflin faced 16 batters and noted improved durability on the mound, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He has thrown more than 150 innings in a season only once in his career, though the Rays will be relying on him to provide consistent innings after their significant investment in him this offseason.