ZACH EFLIN NEWS

Throws off mound Eflin (knee) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The Rays wanted to test Eflin's left knee by having him throw off a mound, and manager Kevin Cash said Eflin's session went well and that "he's doing better." However, it remains unclear whether Eflin will be able to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees.

JULY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Friday Eflin (knee) played catch without issue Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Eflin was removed from his last turn in the Rays' rotation Wednesday against the Marlins due to left knee discomfort, but an MRI taken Thursday came up clean and he could potentially take the hill on normal rest next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The 29-year-old boasts an 11-6 record, 3.64 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 116:17 K:BB through 116.1 innings (20 starts) this season.

JULY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays get Yandy Diaz back in lineup, still evaluating Zach Eflin The top hitter will avoid an injured-list stint and be in Friday’s lineup at designated hitter. The starter is considered day-to-day with a...

JULY 28, 2023 • TAMPABAY.COM

Still considered day-to-day Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday in an interview on MLB Network Radio that Eflin (knee) remains day-to-day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Eflin was lifted from his last outing Wednesday versus the Marlins due to left knee discomfort, but an MRI didn't reveal anything overly alarming. At this point it seems he has a good chance to avoid the injured list and potentially make his next scheduled start, but it will depend on how quickly he recovers in the coming days.

JULY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could make next start Eflin could potentially make his next scheduled start Tuesday versus the Yankees after an MRI on his left knee didn't show anything overly concerning, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay...

Impact Eflin was forced to exit Wednesday's loss to the Marlins with left knee discomfort, but it looks like he's avoided any serious setbacks. The right-hander has had plenty of past knee issues, but the hope is that he will merely need rest and treatment and will be able to avoid the injured list.

JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays pitcher Zach Eflin leaves start after 4th inning with left knee discomfort The former starter for the Phillies signed a $40 million, three-year contract during the offseason that was the largest deal for a free agen...

JULY 27, 2023 • PENNLIVE.COM

Requires MRI Rays manager Kevin Cash said after Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Marlins that Eflin (knee) will undergo an MRI, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Eflin was dealt his sixth loss of the season Tuesday after serving up five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three before departing following the fourth inning. The Rays attributed his early exit to left knee discomfort, and Cash said that Eflin's upcoming MRI will provide a better sense on the source of the pain. Eflin can be considered day-to-day for the time being and tentatively lines up to make his next start early next week agains the Yankees, though a trip to the injured list remains a possibility at this stage.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays right-hander Zach Eflin leaves start against Marlins with left knee discomfort

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zach Eflin left his start against the Miami Marlins after four innings because of left knee discomfort

JULY 26, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Exits with knee discomfort Eflin was removed after four innings in his start Wednesday against the Marlins due to left knee discomfort, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports. He gave up five earned run...

Impact Eflin's early exit initially appeared to a result of him being knocked around by the Miami offense, but Tampa Bay later relayed that an injury played a role in the right-hander being lifted after 53 pitches. The Rays will likely evaluate Eflin after the game and possibly even in send him in for an MRI before determining whether he'll be ready to make his next turn through the rotation. On a fortunate note for Eflin, it was an injury to his other knee that forced him to the injured list earlier this season, so he doesn't appear to be dealing with a related setback.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out eight in 11th win Eflin (11-5) earned the win Friday, allowing two hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings against the Orioles. He struck out eight.

Impact Eflin tossed seven scoreless frames for just the second time this year en route to his 11th win, tying his career-best mark from 2018. It was a major bounce-back performance for the right-hander, who was roughed up for five runs over three innings against the Royals in his last start. Eflin has been as advertised in his first season with Tampa Bay, posting a 3.36 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 113:16 K:BB across 19 appearances (112.1 innings). His next start is lined up for a home matchup versus the Marlins.

JULY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eflin gets 11th win, Rays beat Orioles 3-0 in 2nd game of 4-game series between AL leaders

Zach Eflin pitched seven strong innings to become the AL’s third 11-game winner, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 in a matchup of the top teams in the American...

JULY 22, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Roughed up by Royals Eflin (10-5) took the loss Sunday against the Royals, allowing five runs on seven hits in just three innings. He did not strike out or walk a batter in the outing.

Impact Eflin was pulled after just 46 pitches in what was his shortest start of the season. He tied his season-high with seven hits allowed after the Royals pounced on him for one run in the first and four in the second while lacing three extra-base hits. Eflin had struck out at least five hitters in each of his last eight starts but wasn't fooling anyone Sunday, and actually recorded his second outing this year with zero strikeouts. He still holds a respectable 3.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 105:15 K:BB in 105.1 innings and will look to bounce back in what projects to be a home matchup against Baltimore.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bobby Witt Jr. empowers Royals to overthrow Zach Eflin, American League-leading Rays - The Boston Globe Kansas City won for just the second time in 10 games to leave Tampa Bay only one game ahead of Baltimore in the AL East. Eflin gave up five...

JULY 16, 2023 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Secures 10th victory Eflin (10-4) earned the win Sunday versus Atlanta after he allowed two runs on four hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out five.

Impact The 29-year-old closed out the first half of the season with another strong performance, though it's just the fifth time in 17 starts that he lasted fewer than six innings. The Rays were leading 8-2 when Eflin was lifted with just 77 pitches, and the club may have been opting to limit his workload given he hasn't thrown more than 105.2 frames in a season since 2019. The right-hander is in the midst of the best year of his career with a 3.25 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 105:15 K:BB through 102.1 innings.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Best friends Aaron Nola and Zach Eflin savor squaring off in Phillies vs. Rays "I'd say they're more like brothers," Zack Wheeler said of the former teammates who produced a pitchers' duel Tuesday at Tropicana Field.

JULY 5, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Dazzles in defeat Eflin (9-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings against the Phillies. He struck out nine.

Impact Despite falling to his fourth loss of 2023, Eflin logged his fourth consecutive quality start while also striking out seven or more batters for the third straight time Tuesday. The start continued what could be a career year for Eflin, as the 29-year-old boasts what would be his best ERA (3.24), BB/9 (1.39) and HR/9 (0.9) of his eight-year career while also ranking third in MLB in K/BB (6.67) this season. Eflin is tentatively scheduled to make his next start at home against Atlanta right before the All-Star Break.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nola beats former teammate Eflin as the Phillies beat AL-leading Rays 3-1 for 10th straight road win

Aaron Nola tied a career-high with 12 strikeouts and beat former teammate Zach Eflin as the Philadelphia Phillies won their 10th consecutive road game, 3-1 over the AL-leading Tamp...

JULY 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

'I didn't want to leave:' Zach Eflin couldn't rejoin the Phillies. Maybe now, with the Rays, he can beat them. Two pitching friends now face each other as rivals and in the end, Eflin may show Aaron Nola there's life beyond the Phillies.

JULY 3, 2023 • INQUIRER.COM

Turns in quality start Eflin allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over seven innings, but he took a no-decision in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact Eflin gave up a run in each of the third and fourth innings, and the Rays didn't get on the board until the ninth. It was just his third no-decision this season -- he's posted a 9-3 record while emerging as a solid mid-rotation option in his first year with the Rays. Eflin gave up 11 runs over 30.1 innings across his five starts in June. He's at a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 91:15 K:BB through 90.1 innings over 15 starts overall. The right-hander is projected for a home start versus his former team, the Phillies, next week.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fans seven in Friday's win Eflin (9-3) picked up the win Friday, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings in an 11-3 victory over the Royals. He struck out seven.

Impact The damage came on early homers by Nick Pratto and Salvador Perez (hamstring), but Eflin settled down while the Tampa Bay offense got rolling. The quality start was his sixth in his last seven trips to the mound, a stretch in which the right-hander sports a 3.32 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB through 43.1 innings. Eflin will look to stay sharp in his next outing, likely to come next week in Arizona.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays get back on track behind Jose Siri and Zach Eflin, rout Royals ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After a chaotic Thursday that included a benching, injuries and a come-from-ahead loss, the Rays settled back into th...

JUNE 24, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Rays get back on track behind Jose Siri and Zach Eflin, rout Royals ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After a chaotic Thursday that included a benching, injuries and a come-from-ahead loss, the Rays settled back into th...

JUNE 24, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Takes third loss Eflin (8-3) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings, taking the loss Saturday against the Padres.

Impact Eflin pitched well to earn a quality start, but Blake Snell gave up even less in the pitchers' duel. This was Eflin's seventh quality start of the campaign, and he has yet to give up more than four runs in any outing, providing steadiness for the Rays' rotation. The veteran right-hander is at a 3.26 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB over 77.1 innings through 13 starts on the season. He's lined up for a favorable home start versus the Royals next week.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes second loss Eflin (8-2) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Athletics. He struck out six.

Impact Eflin had his worst start of the season on Monday, as this was the first time he didn't reach five innings in an appearance this year. However, the right-hander is still in the midst of a career year. His 1.00 WHIP is eighth-best in the league, and he's on pace to set career-highs in strikeouts and wins. The former Phillies' hurler should still be considered a reliable option.

JUNE 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blanks Minnesota Eflin (8-1) earned the win Tuesday, allowing three hits and a walk over 6.2 scoreless innings against Minnesota. He struck out nine.

Impact The Twins had no answer for Eflin on Tuesday, who logged nine or more strikeouts for the third time this season. The 29-year-old Eflin improves to 7-0 at Tropicana Field with a 1.85 ERA while pitching to a 5.09 mark on the road. Overall, his ERA sits at an impressive 2.97 with a 0.96 WHIP and 66:9 K:BB through 11 starts (66.2 innings). Eflin's scheduled for another home start next week when the Rays host the Rangers.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE