Zack Eflin Joins Orioles’ Top Bounce-Back Candidates

The Baltimore Orioles roll into the new season with a roster full of questions. Still, there’s a sense of optimism—maybe even a little hope—that key players are ready for a rebound.

Veteran pitchers are working their way back from injuries. Meanwhile, cornerstone position players want to rediscover their production. The front office is betting that health, depth, and a bit of experience can spark another competitive run in the American League.

Zach Eflin and the Orioles’ Calculated Pitching Gamble

The Orioles picked up Zach Eflin as a classic low-risk, high-reward move. He had lumbar microdiscectomy surgery to fix a stubborn back issue that messed with his mechanics for years.

Eflin now looks like one of the club’s top bounce-back candidates. Even while dealing with pain, he managed to put up solid results after adjusting his delivery.

With the Rays and Orioles, Eflin posted a 3.59 ERA in 2024 despite the injury. That gives fans hope that a healthier Eflin could be even better.

He signed a one-year, $10 million contract, which keeps the risk low. Eflin’s track record as a reliable starter doesn’t hurt, either.

Contract Details and Rotation Implications

Eflin’s deal includes a $25 million mutual option for 2027, with a chance to bump up to $30 million if he hits certain workload incentives. The buyout grows with the number of starts he makes.

Mutual options rarely get picked up, but this structure gives both sides flexibility. There’s no heavy long-term commitment hanging over either party.

The team expects Eflin to bring stability to the middle or back of the rotation. He’ll also offer some veteran leadership, which could help younger arms like Shane Baz.

Eflin’s readiness for Opening Day is still up in the air. He won’t throw his first bullpen session until Jan. 6, so spring training will be a big test.

Projected Rotation and Front Office Flexibility

Right now, MASN projects a rotation of Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Baz, Eflin, and Dean Kremer. That order could shuffle, depending on health or if general manager Mike Elias decides to make another move.

Eflin doesn’t have a guaranteed spot, but if he stays healthy, his steady presence could be huge over a long season.

Position Players Seeking a Reset

The Orioles need more than just pitching to bounce back. Adley Rutschman, the face of the franchise behind the plate, struggled in the second half of 2024 and landed on the injured list.

Even with the dip in production, the club’s sticking with him as their main catcher. They’re not backing off that commitment.

Gunnar Henderson is another focal point. His power and overall value dropped sharply in 2025, with fewer home runs and a lower bWAR.

The Orioles responded by adding more right-handed power in the offseason.

Adding Power and Managing Health

Baltimore brought in Taylor Ward and Tyler O’Neill to help balance the offense and support Henderson. O’Neill, though, is a bit of a wild card—injuries and slumps have limited him lately.

The Orioles hope better health and more pop in the lineup will help back up their pitching staff. It’s a plan, at least for now.

Bullpen Questions Linger

Sure, the bullpen looks better with arms like Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge joining the mix. But there’s still this nagging concern: Yennier Cano.

Cano had that All-Star run in 2023, but then he just fell off. He wrapped up 2025 with a rough 5.12 ERA.

His effectiveness kept slipping, which really throws his roster spot into doubt. That’s a big change from when he was trusted with late-inning work.

 
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