Eflin probable for Sunday's start in Colorado

DENVER – The Orioles can feel a lot better about their rotation.

Zach Eflin had a bullpen session this afternoon at Coors Field and is ready to hop back onto the active roster. He’s eligible to be reinstated Sunday and the Orioles kept that spot TBA.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Eflin is “probable” to close out the series against the Rockies which also concludes the latest road trip.

“Probably see how he recovers tomorrow and then we’ll see how it goes,” Hyde said.

Eflin has registered four quality starts in his four appearances with the Orioles. He went on the injured list retroactive to Aug. 17 with inflammation in his right shoulder, another harsh blow to a club that’s already missing Grayson Rodriguez until mid-to-late September and Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells for the rest of 2024.

Hyde handled the obvious question about the importance of Eflin’s return with an obvious response.

“The answer is 'big,'" he said.

“Four great starts for us and then unfortunately went down for a little while,” Hyde said, “but hopefully he can finish the season like he was throwing before he got hurt.”

Eflin returned to his locker today after his session and pronounced himself “ready to go.”

“I feel good,” he said. “Threw a bullpen today. A little different throwing bullpens here. It was mostly just heaters. Not working on spin here. But I feel great.

“I’m confident in any day they have me going, I’m ready for it.”

* The Rockies’ 5.54 ERA is the worst in the majors, a distinction they’ve held the past three seasons. The thin air here can produce football-type scores. The Orioles’ grounded offense might take flight.

“This is such a unique place,” Hyde said. “I’ve seen so many weird games here. You never feel like anybody is ever out of a game and you never feel like you can ever score enough. We’ve had our scuffles offensively for a couple months now and hopefully we can maybe start on the right foot here for the last month and swing the bat well this series.”

“We’re a little tired right now, we’re a little banged up, but nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. I expect us to play well.”

* Reliever Gregory Soto probably won’t be available tonight after retiring the side in order in back-to-back games against the Dodgers. He hasn’t allowed a run in seven consecutive appearances, but four surrendered on Aug. 2 and again on the 6^th made a lousy initial impression.

“It’s been the highlight the last two days,” Hyde said. “Lost a couple tough games but the way he threw, that’s great for us. We need more leverage guys in the bullpen and Gregory’s done it before. Didn’t get off to the best start with us, had some rocky outings, but kept his confidence up.

“When we got him, I wanted to see what it looked like and what it was. I remember him in Detroit just being so dominant in the ninth inning and the last two appearances he’s getting back to that form, so that’s really encouraging.”

* Brandon Young was listed as Triple-A Norfolk's starter tonight but left-hander Bruce Zimmermann got the assignment.

Young was scratched. He's in the Tides' dugout but not in uniform.