Veteran right-hander Zach Eflin is returning to theBaltimore Orioleson a one-year, $10 million contract,the team announcedon Sunday, Dec. 28. The deal also includes a mutual option for 2027.
The Orioles, who have already made several significant moves this offseason, added another piece to their starting rotation, one that also includes Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers and right-hander Shane Baz, whom they acquiredin a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Eflin, 31, made several trips to the injured list surrounding his 14 starts for the Orioles in 2025 before undergoing season-ending back surgery in August. He posted a 6-5 record and 5.93 ERA in 71 1/3 innings, but was much more effective in 2024 − when he split time with the O's and Rays and finished with a 3.59 ERA in 165 1/3 innings.
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Eflin was the Orioles' opening day starter last season, but he figures to slot in as a No. 4 in the revamped rotation.
Upgrading the team's starting pitching was a major offseason goal for Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias after ranking 24th in the majors in ERA a year ago.
Baltimore has also made a couple of additions on offense, most notably thesigning of free agent first baseman Pete Alonsoto a five-year, $155 million contract.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Zach Eflin, Orioles agree to one-year, $10 million deal
