Baltimore Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin departed his 2026 season debut against the Texas Rangers with right elbow discomfort during the top of the fourth inning at Camden Yards. Eflin had recorded seven strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings, allowing one run on Ezequiel Duran's leadoff home run in the third. Rangers starter Jacob deGrom permitted three runs, including a solo home run by Pete Alonso.
BALTIMORE -- In Tuesday night's game at Camden Yards, Orioles pitcher Zach Eflin cruised through much of his 2026 debut before an injury cut his outing short. The 31-year-old righty, who underwent back surgery on August 18, struck out seven Rangers batters. Texas scored its only run against him when Ezequiel Duran led off the third with a home run. With two outs in the fourth, Danny Jansen doubled and Evan Carter walked, prompting a mound visit from head athletic trainer Scott Barringer after Eflin threw one pitch to Duran. Eflin was removed following the discussion. Eflin entered spring training as the last Orioles starter to pitch in Grapefruit League games, amid questions about his Opening Day readiness. He posted strong results in the spring, saying he felt better than before his lumbar microdiscectomy last year. His 2025 season included three injured list stints and a 5.93 ERA in 14 starts, a drop from his 2.60 ERA over nine outings for Baltimore after a 2024 trade deadline deal from the Rays. Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom made his 2026 debut after missing an earlier start due to neck stiffness originally set for Philadelphia. He allowed three runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings, striking out seven Orioles without issuing a walk. Pete Alonso, who signed a five-year, $155 million deal with Baltimore over the offseason, hit a game-tying solo home run off deGrom in the fourth into the left-center bullpen—his first of 265 career homers not in a Mets uniform. DeGrom's night ended after Gunnar Henderson's two-run double tied the score at 3-3. Previously 5-0 with a 1.34 ERA in five starts against Baltimore, deGrom enters his fourth season with Texas following Tommy John surgery and a 2025 All-Star campaign with a 2.97 ERA in 30 starts.