Zach Eflin to have knee surgery, out for rest of the year and will start of 2022 season

As was expected, Zach Eflin is done for the remainder of this season and he’ll be out for the start of the 2022 season, as well.

The Phillies announced that the right-handed starter will undergo surgery on Friday to repair his right patellar tendon. 

Recovery time is six to eight months, according to the team. Six months would put the recovery into March and eight months would put it into May. Either way, Eflin would not be ready to open the 2022 season on time. The team was expected to add starting pitch depth this winter. Eflin’s status makes it imperative.

Eflin, 27, has not pitched since July 16. He was placed on the injured list in the days following that start with right patellar tendinitis. Eflin rehabbed the injury and was activated from the injured list on August 26 but suffered a flare up and went right back on the IL. He also ended up on the COVID-related IL that week.

Eflin has a history of tendinitis in both knees dating to his teenage years. He had surgery on both knees in 2016.

In 18 starts this season, Eflin was 4-7 with a 4.17 ERA. Losing him has hurt the Phillies. The club hasn’t been able to successfully fill his spot in the rotation with a single starter and is now doing so every fifth game with a cast of relievers.

Eflin has been transferred to the 60-day injured list, which will give the Phils some flexibility on their 40-man roster.