Orioles Get Crushing Injury Update On Potential Red Sox Free Agent Target

It just isn’t the Baltimore Orioles’ year.

Tuesday was a rough day for the Orioles. Before getting shut out 1-0 by the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore announced that injured star pitchers Zach Eflin and Félix Bautista will miss the rest of the season.

During his pregame press conference, Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Eflin will have a season-ending “lower back procedure” next week.

“He’s done for the year. He will stay at home and rehab,” Mansolino said.

As for Bautista, Monsolino said Baltimore’s All-Star closer has an appointment later this week and won’t return this season.

“It is a significant shoulder injury. He is done for the year,” said Mansolino.

These are devastating blows for the Orioles, who have been plagued by injuries all season. They’re last in the AL East at 53-66, 16.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays.

Eflin hadn’t pitched since July 28 due to a lower back injury, which likely limited his value at the MLB Trade Deadline. He’s had three different stints on the injured list this season and clearly wasn’t himself, going 6-5 with the second-worst ERA (5.93) of his career.

Meanwhile, Bautista’s season is cut short after he missed all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing reliever hadn’t pitched since July 20 due to a shoulder injury, but he was enjoying a nice bounce-back season with 19 saves, a 2.60 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.

While Bautista is still under team control through 2027, Eflin is slated to be a free agent this winter. The Boston Red Sox could look to target the 31-year-old, whom they pursued the last time he was a free agent before the 2023 season.

The Red Sox have shown a willingness to invest in injured pitchers recently, including James Paxton and Liam Hendriks. They’re also familiar with Eflin, who’s spent the last three seasons in the AL East.

With Eflin coming off an injury-marred campaign, Boston may try to sign him in the hopes that he bounces back in 2026.