Rehabbing Eflin wants to be around Orioles; O’Neill goes on concussion IL; O’s-Giants lineups

BALTIMORE—Zach Eflin plans to be a presence around the Orioles this season despite his Tommy John surgery. Eflin had surgery on Wednesday, and even though he won’t pitch this season, he wants to stay connected to the ballclub. The 32-year-old right-hander injured the elbow on March 31^st after completing 3 2/3 innings against Texas.

“I would say I’m in a lot better spot than I was a week, week-and-a-half ago,” Eflin said. “I knew something had happened on the field, really felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest. I was going through so much this offseason to come back on time.”

Eflin had back surgery last August and his work in spring training convinced the Orioles that he was ready to start the season.

“I honestly never felt better in my career before and I think some of that had to do with the added mobility I gained in spring training in that outing from getting the bone spur out of my back and the herniation fixed … It was a very emotional week for me.

“I think you guys know how much I care about this team and how much I wanted to be out there every start. For this to happen is really unfortunate. I’m going to keep my head up and be around these guys as much as possible and continue to help on the pitching side and anything I can do to be a good teammate. That’s where my priorities are right now.”

The Orioles and Eflin have a mutual $25 million option for next season, which is likely not to exercised by the team, but he wants to pitch in 2027.

“I think that’s why I got it done so early,” Eflin said. “I want to get back as quickly as possible. I’ve been through too much in my life to let this affect me and let this be the thing that brings me down. I’m going to absolutely crush rehab and be back better than ever.”

Eflin believes the Orioles are going to be strong this year.

“I think that’s why we have all the confidence in the world,” Eflin said. “I think that’s why we have such a deep starting staff. Guy after guy, they go down, we’re going to have guys come up and take their spot and perform. The mentality on this team is unlike any that I’ve been on. The perseverance these guys have to go out and compete each an every single pitch is off the chart. Anything I can do to continue to reinforce that narrative and just lift everybody up is what I’m going to do.”

Eflin said the injury occurred suddenly.

“I had felt amazing for three innings,” he said. “There in the fourth inning, it took one pitch. It was like an up-and-away heater or cutter. It just felt like a hamstring cramp in my elbow. Literally out of nowhere. I’d never felt anything in my elbow before. Anything minor I’d pitched through.”

Eflin worked hard to return this season, and he wants to take the same approach to get back in 2027.

“It’s an absolutely again,” he said. “It’s hard to sit here and wonder where I’m going to be. I’m not a cat. I don’t have nine lives. Wherever I’m called to serve, I’m going to do that, if it’s here, if it’s somewhere else, whatever it may be.”

O’Neill on concussion injured list; Rodriguez recalled 

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill was placed on the 7-day concussion list retroactive to Thursday. Outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

O’Neill, who was scratched from Friday’s lineup because of illness, is hitting .241 with a home run and four RBIs. The 30-year-old outfielder was on the injured list three times last season with neck, shoulder and wrist injuries.

The Orioles are waiting on the results of Ryan Mountcastle’s MRI. Mountcastle left Saturday night’s game with left foot pain after he doubled in the second inning.

The 26-year-old Rodriguez was obtained from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for minor league pitcher Carter Rustad on March 29^th.

Rodriguez has hit .176 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 44 games with Cleveland over the last two seasons. He’s hitting .333 (8-for-24) with two RBIs in eight games at Triple-A Norfolk.

He’s acquainted with manager Craig Albernaz, who was a bench coach and associate manager his two seasons in Cleveland.

“He’s a really good coach,” Rodriguez said through a team translator. “I think this is a great organization. I think there’s a lot of talent here. I’ve really enjoyed my time in Triple-A with the guys, and I think there’s a good group here.”

Orioles-Giants starting lineups

Orioles

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Taylor Ward-LF

Pete Alonso-1B

Samuel Basallo-C

Dylan Beavers-DH

Leody Taveras-CF

Colton Cowser-RF

Coby Mayo-3B

Jeremiah Jackson-2B

Cade Povich-LHP

Giants

Willy Adames-SS

Rafeal Devers-1B

Matt Chapman-3B

Casey Schmitt-DH

Jung Ho Lee-CF

Heliot Ramos-LF

Daniel Susac-C

Jerar Encarnacion-RF

Christian Koss-2B

Adrian Houser-RHP

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