Rays opening day starter Zach Eflin placed on 15

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays placed opening day starter Zach Eflin on the 15-day injured list with lower back inflammation before Monday night’s game against Boston.

Eflin has struggled this year after a strong first season with Tampa Bay in 2023, going 3-4 with a 4.12 ERA in 10 starts. The right-hander was 16-8 last year after signing a $40 million, three-year contract, which was the largest free-agent deal in Rays’ history.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said the goal is for Eflin to be back in two to four weeks, He won’t throw for a week.

“We’ll see how that goes,” Cash said. “I’m guessing it will all be symptom driven.”

Eflin, on the IL last season from April 11 to 23 because of lower back tightness, said the latest setback popped up late in his start Saturday in Toronto.

“Doesn’t feel great,” Eflin said. “It’s uncomfortable. Kind of happened last year and I felt good after about eight days.”