Orioles injury update: Zach Eflin rehab assignment, Tyler O'Neill nearing return

The Baltimore Orioles' training staff has worked overtime during the first five weeks of the season. After Ramon Urias was placed on the injured list on May 3, the O's have 14 players on the IL. That's the most in Major League Baseball—certainly not a statistic you want to be leading the league in.

The good news is that Baltimore expects several players to return during the first full week of May. Rehab assignments and quick recoveries from ailments are lining up the Orioles for better baseball.

Zach Eflin (right lat strain) and Andrew Kittredge (left knee debridement) will both pitch for High-A Aberdeen on Sunday. Eflin is itching to get back, and he hopes it’s his only rehab start before rejoining the Orioles rotation.

“That’s where my mind’s at,” Eflin said, per Corey McLaughlin. “We’re going to have to reconvene after the game tomorrow, but … I’m trying to get back ASAP.”

Eflin has a 2.70 ERA in 12 starts with Baltimore since being acquired in a trade last July. He'd be an instant boost to a starting rotation that ranks 28th in ERA. Kittredge will need more time in the minors, but he could be activated before June.

Tyler O’Neill (neck inflammation) isn’t expected to need a rehab assignment. He's eligible to return today, and the Orioles anticipate he'll be back this week after seeing minimal IL time. Jordan Westburg (left hamstring strain) might not need a rehab assignment either. He is days, not weeks, away, according to Mike Elias. Baltimore's All-Star third baseman is eligible to return May 8.

There's no timetable for Gary Sanchez, who was placed on the 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation. He's wearing a brace that's been bothering him for several weeks, and will be reevaluated in a few days.

Mixed bag of updates for Orioles pitchers

The Orioles have nine pitchers on the injured list. That number is expected to shrink in May, but questions remain for several arms in Baltimore's system.

Nothing is set in stone for Grayson Rodriguez, who is dealing with right elbow inflammation and a right lat strain. Elias said Friday that Rodriguez will get imaging done in a few weeks to see how he's healing. He could start throwing again before the end of the month, but when he'll return to an MLB mound remains uncertain.

Trevor Rogers (right knee subluxation) and Chayce McDermott (right lat strain) continue with their rehab assignments. It's been rocky for Rogers, as the southpaw failed to get through two innings with Triple-A Norfolk last Tuesday. He allowed four runs and walked three batters.

McDermott looked strong in his second rehab start on Saturday. The Orioles' No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline tossed four scoreless innings for the Tides with three strikeouts. He could be on track to join the O's later this month.

Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish, both of whom are recovering from elbow surgery, remain on track to return later in the season. They each had side sessions in late April and will continue to throw sporadically throughout the next few months.

More Orioles news from Birds Watcher