Eflin on IL with lower back discomfort

Zach Eflin is headed to the injured list again before possibly going to another organization in a trade.

The Orioles put Eflin on the 15-day IL today with lower back discomfort, retroactive to yesterday. They recalled Brandon Young from Double-A Chesapeake.

Young is eligible to return because he’s replacing an injured player.

Eflin went on the IL in April with a mild lat strain and again in June with the lower back strain. He’s made 14 starts and posted a 5.93 ERA and 1.416 WHIP in 71 1/3 innings.

Eflin faced the Blue Jays on Monday and allowed four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He held the Guardians to two runs and two hits in five innings after his reinstatement.

Today’s news could slow some trade talks, but The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, citing a source, reported that it’s still “very possible” Eflin is moved because his arm is fine.

Young was the 27^th man in Tuesday’s doubleheader and allowed two runs in six innings. He’s carrying a 6.63 ERA and 1.691 WHIP in eight starts.

The Orioles haven’t announced their starters for the weekend series at Wrigley Field.

Earlier today, they announced the Ramón Urías-for-Twine Palmer trade to the Astros. They also sent cash to the Astros.

The Andrew Kittredge-for-Wilfri De La Cruz trade to the Cubs also became official before noon.

MLB Pipeline ranks De La Cruz at No. 21 among Orioles prospects.

Triple-A Norfolk’s lineup today includes catcher Jakson Reetz, signed to a minor league contract on Tuesday. The Mets released him on July 17 from Triple-A Syracuse.

Reetz, 29, was selected by the Nationals in the third round of the 2014 draft out of Norris High School in Nebraska. He appeared in two games in 2021, going 1-for-2 with a double, and was 2-for-14 with a double and home run with the Giants last summer.