Orioles Pitcher Zach Eflin Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

Eflin's season-ending injury leaves a hole in the Orioles' rotation plans.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:48pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the physical and emotional impact of a career-altering injury.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's throwing motion captures the physical toll of Tommy John surgery on a player's career.Baltimore Today

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Eflin has undergone Tommy John surgery after suffering a serious elbow injury, ending his 2026 season. Eflin, who re-signed with the Orioles in the offseason, was expected to be a crucial part of the team's rotation this year, but the injury has derailed those plans.

Why it matters

Eflin's injury is a significant setback for the Orioles, who were counting on him to be a reliable starter. The team will now have to find a replacement for Eflin in the rotation, which could impact their performance and playoff hopes this season.

The details

Eflin said he knew something was wrong when the injury occurred, describing it as feeling like his 'heart was ripped out of [his] chest.' The right-hander has a history of injuries, including a torn patellar tendon in 2021 and a back injury in 2025 that ended his season. Eflin is now eyeing a return in 2027, but the Orioles must evaluate whether to bring him back after his latest setback.

  • Eflin underwent Tommy John surgery on April 10, 2026.
  • Eflin's 2026 season is now officially over.

The players

Zach Eflin

A right-handed pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles who has a history of injuries, including a torn patellar tendon in 2021 and a back injury in 2025.

Baltimore Orioles

The Major League Baseball team that Eflin plays for, who were counting on him to be a crucial part of their rotation this season.

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What they’re saying

“I'm in a lot better spot than I was a week, a week and a half ago. I knew something happened on the field. Really felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. I was going through so much this offseason to come back on time, and I honestly never felt better in my career before.”

— Zach Eflin, Orioles Pitcher

What’s next

The Orioles must now evaluate their options for replacing Eflin in the rotation and determine if they will bring him back after his latest injury setback.

The takeaway

Eflin's injury is a significant blow to the Orioles' pitching plans for the 2026 season, highlighting the challenges teams face when dealing with players with extensive injury histories. The team will need to find a way to overcome this setback and remain competitive in the AL East.