Orioles Will Buy Out Zach Eflin For 2027 Season

The team will release the right-handed pitcher for $2 million as he continues his recovery from surgery.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Baseball

Orioles Will Buy Out Zach Eflin For 2027 Season

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The Baltimore Orioles are expected to decline the 2027 mutual option for Zach Eflin, resulting in a $2 million contract buyout. Eflin will enter the open market as a free agent while continuing rehab following his April 2026 Tommy John surgery.

Why it matters

Declining the option allows the Orioles to clear financial space while Eflin focuses on his recovery process. The veteran pitcher will likely look for a multi-year deal as he targets a return to form for the 2027 season.

Eflin posted a 5.93 ERA across 71 1/3 innings in 2025 following a period where he maintained a 3.54 ERA over 59 starts. His career includes a 20.7% strikeout rate and a 3.5% walk rate between 2024 and 2025.

The players

Zach Eflin

He is a 32-year-old major league pitcher who has played for the Phillies, Rays, and Orioles since his debut.

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore-based professional baseball organization competes in the American League East division.

The details

The Orioles move ends a tenure that began when the team acquired Eflin from Tampa Bay in July 2024. Eflin, who debuted in MLB in 2016, is now 32 years old and is expected to miss a portion of the upcoming campaign due to his ongoing rehabilitation.

Zach Eflin debuted in MLB with the Phillies in 2016.
The Orioles acquired Eflin from the Rays in July 2024.
Eflin underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2026.
The mutual option year for Eflin's contract occurs in 2027.

Season Trajectory

Eflin's departure forces the Orioles to adjust their starting rotation depth as they look toward the 2027 season. The move highlights the team's need to balance veteran experience against the inherent medical risks associated with post-surgery pitching rehabilitations.

The buyout removes Eflin from the Orioles' payroll, creating additional flexibility for the club to address other roster holes during free agency. Fantasy managers should note that Eflin's availability remains limited until he fully recovers from his 2026 surgical procedure.

The takeaway

Players navigating long-term recovery often move to new teams seeking multi-year commitments that offer stability during rehabilitation. Understanding the buyout process remains crucial for fans monitoring how teams manage high-value contracts and injured talent.