Zach Eflin's Season is Over: Tommy John Surgery Ends Orioles' Rotation Plans

The Baltimore Orioles' rotation just took a massive hit. Right-hander Zach Eflin underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on Wednesday after the team sought a second opinion on his troublesome right elbow. Dr. Keith Meister performed the procedure, marking the end of what was supposed to be a bounce-back year for the 32-year-old.

How We Got Here

Eflin's problems started early. He was pulled after just 3⅔ innings in his first start against the Texas Rangers on March 31 due to right elbow discomfort. That outing was a red flag the Orioles couldn't ignore. By Tuesday, the team moved him to the 60-day injured list, and the next day came the confirmation nobody wanted to hear: Tommy John surgery was necessary.

This isn't Eflin's first dance with injuries either. He spent most of 2025 on the shelf, landing on the IL three separate times because of lat and back issues. When he did pitch last year, the results weren't encouraging. He finished 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA across 14 starts. That's the kind of performance that makes you question what you're getting from a guy who's supposed to anchor your rotation.

The Contract Gamble That Didn't Pay Off

Baltimore brought Eflin back in the offseason with a $10 million deal, betting on health and a return to form. Two months into the season, that investment is shelved for the year. The Orioles will now need to scramble internally or look at the trade market to fill the void in their rotation. For a team trying to compete early in the season, losing a starter like this hurts, even if Eflin hadn't been producing at the level they'd hoped.

The next step for Baltimore is figuring out how to move forward without him for the rest of the year.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.