Zach Eflin said he felt great for three innings in his debut start to the 2026 season. One pitch spun his baseball world upside down again.

Eflin tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and underwent reconstructive surgery in Texas. He walked into the clubhouse this morning with his arm in a metal brace, immobilized except for nighttime, when he stacks pillows underneath to elevate it and get some rest.

The injury was beyond cruel for a pitcher who underwent back surgery in August, re-signed with the Orioles and made the team in spring training.

“I’d say I’m in a lot better spot than I was a week and a half ago,” he said in his first interview since the elbow procedure. “I knew something had happened on the field. Really just kind of felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. I was going through so much this offseason to come back on time and I’d honestly never felt better in my career before. And I think some of that had to do with the added mobility that I gained in spring training, and that outing, from getting my bone spur out of the back and the herniation fixed.

“I don’t know if my elbow was ready to take on more mobility and more extension and stuff. I don’t know. But yeah, it was a very emotional week for me. I think you guys know how much I care about this team and want to be out there every start, and for this to happen really is unfortunate. But I’m gonna keep my head up and hope to be around these guys as much as possible and continue to help on the pitching side, and anything I can do to be a good teammate. It’s kind of where my priorities are right now.”

Nothing in camp or in those first three innings against the Rangers suggested that Eflin was on the cusp of a season-ending injury. He would strike out seven in 3 2/3, tying his season high in 2025.

“I had felt amazing for three innings and there in the fourth inning it took one pitch,” he said. “It was like an up-and-away heater or cutter and it just felt like a hamstring cramp in my elbow. Literally out of nowhere. I had never felt anything in my elbow before. Any minor I’ve always pitched through, have had no issue with. But this, I just couldn’t extend my arm. I couldn’t do anything. So it was frustrating, but you know, it’s reality and I’ve got to live with it.”

Rehabbing the back daily has prepared Eflin for what lies ahead.

“Go to war every single day trying to get better,” he said. “Continue to lift people up anywhere I can, serve wherever I’m called. At the end of the day, just do everything I can to make sure my entire body’s ready the next time I come out, which is what we did this offseason. So it’s kind of a head scratcher for me, but I know God’s timing is always perfect and I’ll serve wherever I’m called.”

Elfin can’t predict his future but hopes to return early in 2027, wherever he might be pitching. The contract he signed includes a mutual option.

“I think that’s why I got it done so early is I want to be back as quickly as possible,” he said. “I’ve been through too much in my life to let this affect me and let this be the thing that brings me down, so I’m gonna absolutely crush rehab and be back better than ever.”

The Tommy John procedure was the only choice for Eflin. A platelet-rich plasma injection didn’t enter any discussions.

“I think the consensus was it was gonna take surgery to fix it,” Eflin said. “I didn’t necessarily really talk to anybody that thought rehab was a strong option.”

Eflin said last summer that he wanted to stay with the Orioles. Nothing has changed.

“It’s an absolutely again,” he said. “It’s hard to sit here and wonder where I’m going to be. I’m not a cat, I don’t have nine lives, but wherever I’m called to serve, I’m gonna do that. If it’s here, if it’s somewhere else, wherever it may be.”

The Orioles haven’t posted their lineup or announced a roster move, but outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez is on the medical taxi squad. He was sitting at his locker this morning when the media entered.

The rotation for the upcoming Diamondbacks series lists Monday’s starter as TBA. Dean Kremer would be pitching on normal rest if he’s recalled.

Trevor Rogers goes Tuesday and Kyle Bradish Wednesday.