The Orioles must keep Cole Irvin in Baltimore until Zach Eflin returns

The Orioles have been hit hard by the injury bug this year, most recently losing Zach Eflin to a shoulder issue that'll keep the righty out for several weeks.

In the wake of Eflin's move to the IL, the Orioles have been busy making a number of roster moves to keep the rotation and bullpen in line. Last weekend, Cade Povich was called on to start against the Red Sox, and in turn helped push the rotation back a day to give everyone an extra day of rest.

The Orioles stuck to that plan, even in Eflin's absence, by selecting Cole Irvin's contract ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Mets. Irvin pitched well versus New York, allowing just 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks while notching 2 strikeouts.

The O's bullpen coughed up the lead twice after Irvin left, with former closer Craig Kimbrel giving up a solo blast to stud rookie Mark Vientos in the 7th, and current closer Seranthony Dominguez earning his second blown save in the past three days just two innings later.

Could lefty Cole Irvin remain in Baltimore for the rest of the year?

The bullpen is a problem in and of itself but as it stands, the Orioles will be facing another roster decision before the weekend. Lefty Keegan Akin is currently on the paternity list and is expected to return for Friday's matchup with the Astros.

Akin has pitched well enough to keep his spot when he returns, meaning someone on the active roster will have to go. Many fans seem to think that will be Irvin, though the lefty is out of options and would have to be DFA'd again in order for the Orioles to get him out of Baltimore.

But with Irvin's respectable performance on Wednesday, it could be another O's lefty heading back to Norfolk in his stead. Trevor Rogers has been unable to find a groove this year, but especially since coming over from Miami at the trade deadline. Unlike Irvin, Rogers does have minor league options remaining, meaning the O's could theoretically shift him back to Norfolk to give him time and space to get back into a rhythm.

In total, Rogers has thrown 124.1 innings in 2024, pitching to a 4.92 ERA with the worst strikeout and walk rates of his young career. Since the trade, Rogers has given up 16 runs on 25 hits and 10 walks in just 19 innings, good for a 7.11 ERA and a 5.00 FIP. Those numbers just aren't good enough for a team trying to win its division.

The Orioles unfortunately don't have a ton of good options behind Irvin so risking losing him to waivers seems unwise, even with his shaky performance over the full year. Whether they send Povich back down after his scheduled start Thursday, or send Rogers down to get an extra bullpen arm to Baltimore before the Houston series, it seems like keeping Irvin in the rotation until one of Eflin or Grayson Rodriguez are able to return is the best path for the Orioles right now. It's not pretty, but with a full slate of starting pitchers on the IL, O's fans will have to take what they can get.