With Zach Eflin back, Orioles’ rotation should look like this

There's a glimmer of hope for the Baltimore Orioles. Never mind that there are 124 games left in the 2025 season. Every team goes through a stretch where injuries plague the roster. The Orioles might have already dealt with the majority of their ailments, and this weekend represents a potential turning point for the season.

Baltimore received good news for the first time in a while earlier this week, with outfielder Tyler O'Neill and starting pitcher Zach Eflin returning from injury for a series against the Los Angeles Angels. O'Neill is certainly an important player to Baltimore's success this year, but Eflin staying healthy and leading the rotation is paramount.

The 31-year-old right-hander is slated to start Sunday for the first time since April 7. The Orioles' Opening Day starter needed only one rehab outing to feel comfortable, and he was yearning to get back to the big league ball club.

Eflin pitching like he has (2.70 ERA in 12 starts with the Orioles) is key for a Baltimore resurgence. Still, the O's need the rest of their pitching staff, the starters in particular, to find a groove if they want any chance of entering the playoff picture.

There seems to be an obvious starting pitching plan staring the front office in the face. Whether they go with it or if it will work remains to be seen.

Orioles' starting rotation plan should look like this

The Orioles can have a strong starting rotation this year. For that to happen, Charlie Morton and Kyle Gibson shouldn’t be part of it. The two are respected veterans who've combined for over 700 MLB starts, but neither has the caliber to be an effective starter for a contending team anymore. Morton and Gibson have a combined 9.92 ERA in 12 appearances (9 starts) this season.

Baltimore has two absolute locks for the rotation in Eflin and Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano has been a pleasant surprise for the O's and posted his fourth quality start of the season Friday night by holding the Los Angeles Angels to one run across seven innings. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his seven starts.

Following those two in the pecking order are Dean Kremer and Cade Povich. Kremer has been the better of the two in 2025, especially lately. He recorded a 1.29 ERA in his last two starts, going seven innings in both outings with 10 strikeouts. Kremer's breaking ball stuff has been great, ranking in the 89th percentile in breaking run value per Baseball Savant.

Povich is still a work in progress, but the Orioles have expressed patience with the 25-year-old. He's shown flashes, allowing three or fewer runs in five of his seven outings with two quality starts. Walks remain an issue, though, and opponents are hitting nearly .300 against Povich this season. His leash might be shortening, but Baltimore can work with him a little further before pulling the plug.

The fifth starter is up for debate, but there should be no debate in a couple of weeks. Chayce McDermott, Baltimore's top pitching prospect, is earning that spot with his performance in Triple-A. McDermott has allowed only one earned run on three hits in two starts with the Norfolk Tides. He needs time to build up his arm after a lat strain delayed the start of his season, but so far in 2025, he looks every bit the part of an MLB starter.

The Orioles' rotation depth is a problem. Perhaps that can be addressed with a trade. Baltimore still has time to determine if it will be buyers or sellers in July. Maybe a few winning weeks will turn the tide and force general manager Mike Elias' hand to add before the league-wide wheeling and dealing begins. The rotation's performance will go a long way in determining that.

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