The Orioles lost yet another starting pitcher on Tuesday.
Right-hander Zach Eflin hit the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, delivering a fresh blow to an already depleted Baltimore rotation.
Eflin, who was acquired from the Rays ahead of the July trade deadline, makes an entire starting rotation’s worth of pitchers for the Yankees’ division rival on the IL.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Eflin felt some discomfort in his shoulder during his last start and that he hopes the injury will be “short term,” according to MASN’s Roch Kubatko.
Eflin posted a 4.09 in 19 starts with Tampa Bay before heading to Baltimore, but he had been excellent in an Orioles uniform, going 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA in four starts.
He joins Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells, who are all out for the season after undergoing elbow surgery, and Grayson Rodriguez, who is dealing with a shoulder strain but is expected to return by the end of the season.
The Orioles are also without closer Felix Bautista, relievers Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe and All-Star third baseman Jordan Westburg.
The latest injury comes as the Orioles and Yankees are locked into an extremely tight American League East race.
Heading into Tuesday’s play, the Orioles (73-53) sit a half-game back of the Yankees (73-52) in the division.
Baltimore is 2 1/2 games up on the Royals and Twins for the first AL wild card spot.
If he’s back for the playoffs, Eflin is expected to be Baltimore’s No. 2 or No. 3 starter alongside Rodriguez and behind ace Corbin Burnes.
The Orioles and Yankees will clash in a three-game series Sept. 24-26 in what could end up deciding the division.
