Eflin named Opening Day starter, notes and lineups

SARASOTA, Fla. – Zach Eflin entered camp this spring as the favorite to receive the Opening Day start on March 27. Grayson Rodriguez’s injury seemed to make it official.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde did so this afternoon. It’s happening as expected.

Hyde announced that Eflin, 30, will face the Blue Jays on March 27 at Rogers Centre, the right-hander’s second Opening Day assignment in a row after handling the honors for the Rays in 2024.

Eflin threw four innings on a back field recently while the Orioles played the Yankees in Tampa. He’s started twice in the Grapefruit League and allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings.

"I told him today," said Hyde, who was joined by pitching coach Drew French, pitching strategy coach Ryan Klimek and bench coach Robinson Chirinos. "He's very appreciative and he understands how much it means, so that was a very cool moment.

"I think we knew he was going to be one of the leading candidates, and then as camp went along, and he pitched so well for us second half last year. So we're happy to give him the ball the first day."

The rest of the rotation isn’t laid out for public consumption, but Rodriguez’s sore elbow and shutdown period following a cortisone injection likely pushes 41-year-old Charlie Morton to No. 2, followed by Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano. The fifth spot apparently comes down to Albert Suárez or Cade Povich.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is checking on available pitchers and could make a late move, but Eflin is set at the top.

The Orioles acquired Eflin from the Rays on July 26 for minor leaguers Jackson Baumeister, Matthew Etzel and Mac Horvath. He provided a boost with his 2.60 ERA in nine starts, and he allowed one run in four innings in Game 2 of the Wild Card series.

“He’s definitely a guy who has a calm demeanor,” said center fielder Cedric Mullins. “There’s a confidence about him. He comes in in a big spot, does his thing, does really well.”

Rodriguez could begin a throwing progression around two weeks after the injection. The Orioles don’t know when he’ll be reinstated from the injured list, where he’s headed before the opener.

“As unfortunate as it is, this game comes with injuries and it’s up to us to be able to make those adjustments and understand that we still have the same goal,” Mullins said. “I’m hoping for the best for Grayson in terms of recovering from whatever he’s dealing with. But yeah, guys have got to step up. That’s the nature of the game.”

Sugano makes his fourth spring training appearance and third start tonight when the Orioles host the split-squad Twins.

Sugano has tossed seven scoreless innings with four hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. His command was much better in his last outing, though he only graded it as 90 percent.

Jackson Holliday is playing shortstop and batting eighth. Jordan Westburg is at third base.

Cedric Mullins stays atop the order while Gunnar Henderson is out. Henderson did light hitting again today and participated in fielding drills.

Hyde said it was “pretty doubtful” that Jorge Mateo would be on the Opening Day roster.

For the Orioles

Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman C
Tyler O’Neill RF
Colton Cowser LF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Gary Sánchez DH
Jackson Holliday SS
Livan Soto 2B

Tomoyuki Sugano RHP

For the Twins

Edouard Julien 1B
Mickey Gasper 2B
Christian Vázquez C
Jose Miranda 3B
Brooks Lee SS
Austin Martin LF
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. CF
Mike Ford DH
Armando Alvarez RF

David Festa RHP