Orioles bring back free agent right-hander Zach Eflin to Baltimore on a $10 million, 1-year deal

The Baltimore Orioles are bringing back right-hander Zach Eflin on a one-year, $10 million deal.

The Orioles acquired Eflin in a trade from Tampa Bay for the 2024 season and he pitched well that year, but he went 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA during an injury-plagued 2025. With the Orioles cruising to a last-place finish, Eflin appeared to be a candidate to be traded in July, but he went on the injured list with a back problem just before the deadline, and he was ultimately ruled out of the tournament. season.

As a free agent, Eflin, 31, returns to the Orioles. He will earn $5 million in 2026 plus a $3 million signing bonus. His deal also includes a $25 million mutual option for 2027 or a $2 million buyout.

FILE – Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin pitches during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

In addition, Eflin's option price and buyout will increase depending on how many starts he makes in the upcoming season: $1 million for 15 starts, $1.5 million for 20 and $2.5 million for 25. Since mutual options are almost never exercised, he could earn up to $15 million in a single season.

Baltimore was active after a disappointing 2025 season, signing slugger Pete Alonso and reliever Ryan Helsley and trading for reliever Andrew Kittredge, outfielder Taylor Ward and right-hander Shane Baz.

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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.