THE APEX TIMES
Baltimore turned down the guaranteed path for its right-hander, paying a $2 million buyout instead and leaving Eflin eligible to sign elsewhere again this offseason.
The Orioles declined Zach Eflin’s mutual option for the 2027 season, a decision that keeps the 32-year-old right-hander on the free-agent market. Under the terms of that move, Baltimore will pay Eflin a $2 million buyout instead of the $25 million the option would have provided.
Eflin’s timeline with Baltimore has been defined by both fit and setback. He rejoined the Orioles on a one-year, $10 million deal signed Dec. 28, and Baltimore expected him to be a key part of its starting rotation, but he exited his 2026 debut against the Rangers on March 31 with right elbow discomfort.
Eflin’s 2026 season ended early after he underwent Tommy John surgery on April 8, limiting him to one start. The article also notes that his 2025 season was injury-plagued, with Eflin making only 14 starts and posting a 5.93 ERA over 71 1/3 innings across three injured-list stints for lat/back ailments.
Before this latest setback, Eflin had already shown he could deliver in Baltimore. Traded from Tampa Bay to the Orioles ahead of the 2024 Trade Deadline, he posted a 2.60 ERA in nine starts down the stretch and then pitched in the American League Wild Card Series, working four innings of one-run ball in Game 2 against Kansas City.
Baltimore’s offseason planning now includes more than Eflin. The team is also facing rotation decisions with left-hander Trevor Rogers now a free agent, along with additional free agents including Keegan Akin, Chris Bassitt, and Andrew Kittredge. The Orioles still have team-option decisions on outfielder Luis Robert Jr. ($20 million) and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle ($7.5 million), and it is described as widely expected that Robert’s option will be declined. By contrast, right-hander Ryan Helsley opted into his $14 million player option for 2027, and the Orioles re-signed outfielder Rece Hinds to a 2027 MLB deal described as having no option remaining.
Eflin has previously said he enjoys playing for the Orioles and has expressed interest in returning in 2027, but with Baltimore choosing the buyout route, any reunion would have to come through free agency rather than an automatic extension.