Orioles Decline Zach Eflin’s $25 Million Mutual Option

The Orioles declined their half of Zach Eflin’s $25 million mutual option for 2027 on Friday, sending the right-hander back to free agency after injuries limited him to one start this season.

Eflin will receive a $2 million buyout. A mutual option requires agreement from both the player and the club, so Baltimore’s decision ends the possibility of continuing under that provision.

The timing follows a short and difficult return to the Orioles. Eflin re-signed last December after becoming a free agent, but left his March 31 season debut at home after only three and two-thirds innings. Tommy John surgery in April ended his season.

His previous year had also been interrupted by injuries. Eflin went 6–5 with a 5.93 ERA in 14 starts in 2025, spent time on the injured list three times and underwent back surgery that August.

That availability contrasts with his first stretch in Baltimore. After arriving from Tampa Bay in July 2024, he went 5–2 with a 2.60 ERA over nine starts. The Banner reported that Eflin threw only 75 innings combined during his 2025 and 2026 seasons.

The Baltimore Banner reported before the option decision that Eflin would likely begin 2027 on the injured list while continuing his elbow rehabilitation. That is an expectation about his recovery, rather than an announced date for his next major league start.

Baltimore is also facing decisions elsewhere on its pitching staff. Starters Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt reached free agency, while Ryan Helsley exercised his $14 million player option for next season. Those separate moves leave the club’s rotation plans unsettled as the offseason opens.

The Orioles also announced a 2027 contract for outfielder Rece Hinds on Friday. He hit .179 in 12 games for Baltimore this season after the club acquired him from Miami in August.