Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Thu 5/30/24 11:25 AM

Manager Kevin Cash said that Eflin (back) will throw a light bullpen session Thursday and a "ramped-up bullpen session" Sunday before the Rays decide his next steps, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
EDGE Analysis
Cash noted that the Rays will wait and see how Eflin feels following Sunday's session, but if his lower-back injury isn't providing any complications, he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list next week. When Eflin was placed on the IL on May 20, Cash estimated that the right-hander would need 2-to-4 weeks to make a full recovery, and Eflin currently looks to be tracking toward the short end of that timeline.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Wed 5/29/24 10:05 AM

Eflin (back) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Eflin has played catch twice since Sunday and will now advance to more intense work. His progress has been steady since he was placed on the injured list retroactive to May 19, though a firm target for his return has yet to be set.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Mon 5/27/24 3:13 AM

Eflin (back) was able to play catch Sunday, MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Eflin was placed on the injured list with an effective date of May 19. He was projected to miss two-to-four weeks when first diagnosed, so he'll need to make significant progress quickly to hit the lower range of that timeline.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Mon 5/20/24 4:13 PM

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that he expects Eflin (back) to be sidelined for 2-to-4 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
EDGE Analysis
Eflin landed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a lower-back injury that he felt crop up toward the end of his last start. The right-hander said it feels similar to an injury that cost him two weeks last season. While the hope is that the absence will be similar in length this time around, his manager has allowed for the possibility for it to be a bit longer.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Mon 5/20/24 2:35 PM

The Rays placed Eflin on the 15-day injured list Monday, retroactive to May 19, with lower-back inflammation, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
EDGE Analysis
Eflin last pitched Saturday in Toronto, allowing four runs over six innings. It's not clear whether he developed the injury during that outing or another time, but either way he will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Ryan Pepiot (leg) is expected back from the IL this week and can slide into Eflin's rotation spot.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Sat 5/18/24 9:13 PM

Eflin came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays, giving up four runs on nine hits over six innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
EDGE Analysis
After keeping Toronto hitters in check the first time through the order, things went off the rails for Eflin in the fourth and fifth innings, putting the Rays in a 4-0 hole that they eventually climbed out of. The right-hander did manage to keep the ball in the yard, snapping a streak of four straight starts in which he'd served up a homer. Eflin will take a 4.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and stellar 44:4 K:BB through 59 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Royals.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Mon 5/13/24 11:15 PM

Eflin (3-4) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on six hits while not walking a batter over five innings against the Red Sox. He struck out two.
EDGE Analysis
Eflin was able to grind through five innings, tossing 91 pitches to earn the win for the second-consecutive start. After being staked with a three-run lead before ever taking the hill, Eflin allowed a three-run homer to Tyler O'Neill in the bottom of the first that tied the score. Despite the elevated pitch count through five, Eflin managed to keep the Red Sox off the board throughout the remainder of his start and did not allow a free pass in the process. Eflin will carry a 3.91 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into his next start, tentatively slated to take place over the weekend when the Rays travel to Toronto for a three-game set against the division-rival Blue Jays.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Wed 5/8/24 10:49 AM

Eflin (2-4) picked up the win in Tuesday's 5-1 victory over the White Sox, allowing one run on six hits over seven innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
EDGE Analysis
The right-hander put together his longest outing of the season, throwing an efficient 94 pitches (65 strikes) and blanking Chicago for six innings before Paul DeJong touched him up for a solo shot in the seventh. The quality start was Eflin's fourth of the season in eight trips to the mound, and he'll take a 3.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 39:4 K:BB through 48 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come early next week in Boston.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Wed 5/1/24 4:35 PM

Eflin (1-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
EDGE Analysis
Eflin allowed a two-run double to William Contreras in the third inning before allowing a solo homer to Willy Adames in the sixth. The 30-year-old Eflin has now been stuck with a loss in consecutive starts -- he's allowed seven earned runs over 11.2 innings in that span. Eflin's ERA is now up to 4.17 with a 1.17 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB in seven starts this year. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the White Sox.

Zach Eflin
SP BAL
Sat 4/27/24 9:13 AM

Eflin (1-3) took the loss Friday after surrendering five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters in six innings.
EDGE Analysis
Facing a White Sox offense that sports an MLB-worst .575 OPS, Eflin had a golden opportunity to pick up his second win of the season. Instead, he gave up two runs in the first five innings before surrendering a three-run homer to Martin Maldonado in the sixth that would ensure Chicago remained in the lead for the rest of the game. Eflin now holds a 4.08 ERA and 1.19 WHIP after his rough outing and projects to make his next start Wednesday against a strong Milwaukee lineup.