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Orioles announce season-ending injuries to $40 million starter, 30-year-old closer
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- Orioles announce season-ending injuries to $40 million starter, 30-year-old closer
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Orioles announce season-ending injuries to $40 million starter, 30-year-old closer originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Baltimore Orioles ' nightmare season continues with the latest injury update from interim manager Tony Mansolino.
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According to Baltimore Sun Orioles insider Matt Weyrich, Mansolino announced in his Tuesday media availability that Félix Bautista and Zach Eflin are out for the rest of the season.
"Bautista has a 'significant shoulder injury,' going to an appointment for it later this week," Weyrich posted to X . "Eflin is undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy in his lower back."
The diagnosis for Bautista is bleak, as the previously dominant closer missed the entire 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old was effective this season, finishing with a 2.60 ERA in 34.2 innings; however, his velocity dipped 2.3 mph from the season prior to the surgery. His walk rate also increased from 11% to 16.2%.
The Orioles control Bautista through the 2027 season, so they are likely to tender him a contract, even if he is unable to pitch in 2026. He earned just $1 million this season, and will be due for a raise even if he is unable to take the mound in 2026.
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Eflin, on the other hand, has likely seen his last appearance with the Orioles. The back surgery ends a disappointing season for the 31-year-old right-hander, who is in the final season of a three-year, $40 million contract originally signed with the Rays .
Eflin pitched to a 3.54 ERA in 353 innings over the first two seasons, but was limited to 14 appearances in 2025 due to back and lat injuries. He struggled to the tune of a 5.93 ERA in 71.1 innings — his worst production since an 11-start run with the Phillies in 2017, before he'd established himself as a credible big league starter.
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