The Baltimore Orioles re-signed right-handed starting pitcher Zach Eflin to a one-year deal, the team announced Sunday. The deal also includes a mutual option for 2027 and is worth $10 million for 2026.
Orioles Bring Back Veteran Pitcher To Rotation For 2026
We have agreed to terms with RHP Zach Eflin on a one-year major league contract for the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027.
Welcome back to Birdland, Zach! pic.twitter.com/gzKf31T3sk
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) December 29, 2025
Baltimore’s deal with the 32-year-old comes off a disappointing 2025 season for both sides, which saw the Orioles finish below .500. Eflin also struggled immensely before his season was prematurely ended due to a back injury.
Eflin’s re-signing follows the team trading a prospect package to the Tampa Bay Rays for starter Shane Baz. It also marks the third major move by the team this month, including signing first baseman Pete Alonso.
Eflin Seeks To Return To Form
Eflin regressed heavily following his 2024 trade to the Orioles, pitching to a 6-5 record with a 5.93 ERA. He ran into major trouble trying to strike out batters, pitching to a career low strikeout per nine innings rate, and also surrendered 18 home runs in 71.1 innings. In most categories, he posted his worst stats since his 2017 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 32-year-old underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy in August 2025 following his July 28 start against the Toronto Blue Jays. He is recovering well from the surgery and is also expected to start throwing off a mound next January. Eflin also suffered a right lat strain that knocked out most of April and the first half of May in 2025.
Despite a lackluster 2025 campaign, he holds a strong chase rate at 32% and a low 4.2% walk rate against batters. Eflin struggled getting whiffs on his pitches, primarily his cutter and sinker pitches. He will have to work on revamping his offspeed arsenal to have success in 2026.
Zach Eflin is a good depth option for Baltimore coming off as many injuries as they had in 2025
He threw a very strong 9 starts after being traded from TB in ‘24, but struggled with injury in ‘25
Does this signal Baltimore may move one of their younger more controllable arms? pic.twitter.com/jYIb2M3FKm
— Baseball Unstitched Podcast (@BaseUnstitched) December 29, 2025
State Of The Orioles Rotation
Eflin will likely start in the Orioles’ #5 spot if the team does not make any other major rotation upgrades, according to Fangraphs. Baltimore will also be getting back Kyle Bradish from injury and still have Trevor Rogers from their trade with Miami in 2024.
The Orioles are still in the race for left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez, meeting with him earlier in December. Baltimore had also previously been linked to Edward Cabrera but was recently ruled out of trade considerations.
Main Photo Credits: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images