ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays placed opening day starter Zach Eflin on the 15-day injured list with lower back inflammation before Monday night’s game against Boston.
Eflin has struggled this year after a strong first season with Tampa Bay in 2023, going 3-4 with a 4.12 ERA in 10 starts. The right-hander was 16-8 last year after signing a $40 million, three-year contract, which was the largest free-agent deal in Rays’ history.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said the goal is for Eflin to be back in two to four weeks, He won’t throw for a week.
“We’ll see how that goes,” Cash said. “I’m guessing it will all be symptom driven.”
Eflin, on the IL last season from April 11 to 23 because of lower back tightness, said the latest setback popped up late in his start Saturday in Toronto.
“Doesn’t feel great,” Eflin said. “It’s uncomfortable. Kind of happened last year and I felt good after about eight days.”
Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
Revealed: England's 'postcode lottery' of maternity care laid bare in interactive map and table
Charter flights for WNBA road games was an early Mother's Day gift for players with children
Eurovision banned the EU flag from the song contest. The EU is angry and wants to know why
Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
Boardwalk Empire star Steve Buscemi is punched in the face in a random attack in NYC
Iranian filmmaker flees to Europe after prison sentence ahead of his Cannes premiere
Chad's opposition leader challenges the results of the presidential elections
Tourism boosts China's social, economic development
Virginia General Assembly poised to vote on compromise budget deal reached with Youngkin
Mystery artist who erected signs comparing pothole
Catalan separatists lose majority as Spain's Socialists win regional elections