Zach Eflin is eager to return to action. After throwing around 40 pitches in a bullpen session on Sunday, he announced he’s ready to rejoin the Rays’ rotation following a two-week hiatus due to lower back inflammation.
“It went great,” Eflin said. “Felt good. … and I’m ready to go. … I checked the boxes that I need to get back. So kind of out of my hands at this point.”
The Rays are eyeing Wednesday for his return but will monitor him over the next couple of days to determine his readiness and discuss how his return might impact the pitching staff. Given the days off around their two-game series in Miami, the Rays have flexibility in managing his workload. They could opt for a bullpen day or push Eflin’s start to Friday against the Orioles.
Eflin (3-4, 4.12 ERA in 10 starts) believes he won’t need special handling and emphasizes the importance of communication.
“Just being honest about how I feel every inning,” he said. “In the past, I haven’t really been limited when I got back (from injured list stints). So I don’t necessarily want to put an inning cap on it. I want to go out there and feel like a normal start and go as long as I can.”
Eflin expressed his frustration with being sidelined.
“It sucks, honestly,” he said. “Obviously, I love watching the boys and being part of it. But when you’re on the IL you feel worthless and useless. And there’s a bunch of other adjectives I could use. I want to be back as quickly as possible and be a part of this. The IL sucks. It’s never fun. So just can’t wait to get back.”
Upon Eflin’s activation, the Rays will have their projected starting rotation healthy simultaneously for the first time this season, with Eflin joining Taj Bradley, Aaron Civale, Zack Littell, and Ryan Pepiot.
Injury Updates: J-Lowe, Poche, Walls
Outfielder Josh Lowe is expected to rejoin the Rays for Tuesday’s game in Miami after going 1-for-4 on Sunday and playing nine innings in right field for Triple-A Durham, completing a three-game rehab assignment following a slight recurrence of a right oblique strain.
Lefty reliever Colin Poche, sidelined since late April with mid-back tightness, had a successful nine-pitch, 1-2-3 inning for the Bulls in the first of his two or three planned outings.
Infielder Taylor Walls (right hip surgery) went 1-for-1 with two walks in his third game for the Bulls. Manager Kevin Cash noted that Walls’ defense and explosiveness on defense will be key to his return.
