Zach Eflin Surprises Himself With Increased Velo in First Start Since Back Surgery

Zach Eflin made his first 2026 spring training start for the Baltimore Orioles on March 5, 2026, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Coming off back surgery (lumbar microdiscectomy) in the offseason, Eflin said he was surprised by his velocity: all six of his pitch types were coming out harder than in 2025, with his fastball averaging 92.9 mph and topping 94 mph. Eflin re-signed with the Orioles on a one-year, $10 million deal in December 2025. He described feeling like he has a "brand-new back" and is optimistic about avoiding the injured list to start the season. The Orioles are hoping he can return to his 2023–24 form (3.54 ERA) as they build toward Opening Day.

What It Means for AthX

Eflin's health and velo bump are positive signals for his share price; dynamic pricing will reflect his innings and results. Browse the marketplace to see Orioles and all MLB player values on AthX. *Sources: MLB.com. Fact-checked March 5, 2026.*