Zach Eflin Injury Update: When Will SP Return to Orioles?

Zach Eflin has had a rough go of it in 2025. The Baltimore Orioles righty was on the shelf with a lat strain from April 8 to May 11 and is once again on the IL with a lower back injury. Orioles fans and fantasy baseball managers are now asking when Eflin will return and be back on the mound. We will dish out an Eflin injury update below,and also project a date for when we could see the 31-year-old hurler pitching again.

🚑 When will Zach Eflin return and be back with Orioles?

Eflin experienced discomfort in his lower back while pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 28. Baltimore placed him on the IL two days later. 

“I knew something wasn't right,” Eflin said regarding the injury, according to MASN. “I was able to deliver a pitch. Wasn’t comfortable. It kind of gets to a point where, once you stop moving around, it just locks up and tightens up and then you can’t really do much about it at that point. Just tried to keep moving as much as I could.”

Eflin was out for just a little over a month earlier this season with the back issue. That is around the amount of time he is expected to miss this time around, as well, although the Orioles’ poor record may impact the urgency (or lack thereof) in which Baltimore brings him back. Now that it’s almost certain that the O’s won’t be making a playoff push this season, Baltimore may choose to tack on an extra week or two of rest for Eflin to make sure he is 110%.

Here is a look at the Orioles’ schedule around the time that Eflin is expected to return.

• Sunday, July 27: Colorado Rockies at Baltimore Orioles
• Monday, July 28: Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles
• Tuesday, July 29: Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles
• Wednesday, July 30: Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles
• Friday, Aug. 1: Baltimore Orioles at Chicago Cubs

⏳ How long will Zach Eflin be out for?

Eflin was diagnosed with a right lat strain earlier this season. That injury kept him out of action for 33 days. 

This time around, Eflin is sidelined with “lower back discomfort.” That diagnosis is a little more difficult to place a timeline on than the previous one, but indications are that this is a minor injury. It is expected that Eflin will be out for three-to-five weeks.

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil has faced similar back troubles in the past year. Gil missed just 17 days with a lower back strain late last season. In March of this year, however, Gil sustained a high-grade lat strain and has not yet pitched in a 2025 game. He just began throwing BP in late June.

Eflin’s injury is nowhere near as severe as the one Gil sustained this year, but given that this is now a recurring problem for Eflin - Gil’s situation is something of a cautionary tale.

💰 Orioles betting

Betting the Orioles to win MLB’s top prize is not a wise choice considering their World Series odds currently sit at +24000. But there are plenty of game betting options each time the O’s play. You can bet on the moneyline and also dive into player props. Bettors can even live bet on balls and strikes.