Zach Eflin Healthier Than Ever, Ready for Season Opener

Veteran right-hander Zach Eflin is rolling the dice on health, familiarity, and maybe a little bit of unfinished business as he heads back to Baltimore.

After free agency and some outside interest, Eflin decided to re-sign with the Orioles. It’s a reasonably priced deal, and he’s still working through recovery from back surgery—something he says has already changed his life on and off the field.

Zach Eflin Recommits to Orioles After Testing Free Agency

The Orioles locked in a key rotation arm by bringing Eflin back on a contract that guarantees $10 million, with a mutual option for 2027. For Baltimore, it’s a low-risk move with some real upside.

For Eflin, it’s a sign of trust from an organization that understands his body, his mechanics, and what he brings when he’s healthy. He did get some interest from other teams, but he made it clear—familiarity mattered most.

The Orioles knew what they were getting, not just on paper but also in terms of his health and who he is as a person.

Trust in the Organization and the Clubhouse

Eflin pointed to Baltimore’s culture as a big reason for his decision. He credited the front office and the clubhouse for making players feel genuinely supported.

That trust meant a lot, especially with all the unknowns around his back recovery.

Back Surgery That Changed Everything

The big moment in Eflin’s offseason was an Aug. 18 lumbar microdiscectomy. That’s a surgical procedure to remove a bone spur that was pressing on a nerve in his lower back.

This problem had built up for more than a decade, sending him to the injured list again and again while slowly limiting his mobility.

The impact went way beyond baseball. Eflin admitted that even simple things—like picking up or playing with his kids—had become painful and tough.

From Chronic Pain to Relief

After the procedure, Eflin says the nerve pain vanished. He can move freely again, and that’s restored his confidence too.

He described himself as feeling “like a little kid again,” which is saying something for a veteran pitcher who’s dealt with so many health setbacks.

Road Back to the Mound

Eflin’s already working through his throwing program and has started mound work. His first bullpen session is set for Jan. 6, which feels like a big checkpoint as he aims to be ready for Opening Day.

The Orioles aren’t rushing things, but so far, things look good. Eflin believes the surgery actually fixed the root problem, not just the symptoms.

Fixing the Mechanical Fallout

Pitching through pain forced Eflin into some bad habits:

Now that he’s pain-free, he can focus on cleaner mechanics. He’s hopeful that pitching without holding anything back will make him more efficient and reliable over a full season.

Performance, Perspective, and the 2025 Outlook

Eflin’s 2024 numbers tell two different stories. Overall, he made just 14 starts with a 5.93 ERA.

But after Baltimore picked him up at the trade deadline, he was sharp—putting up a 2.60 ERA over nine starts. That late-season run was a reminder, for him and everyone else, of what he can do when he’s healthy.

A Veteran Anchor with Something to Prove

Eflin said he’s excited to reunite with Shane Baz. He called Baz a competitive leader who pushes the staff to be better.

This rotation mixes youth and experience. Eflin thinks he can steady the group.

Healthy, mechanically sound, and backed by an organization that believes in him, Eflin enters the season feeling relieved and motivated. He’s optimistic, maybe even a little anxious, but who wouldn’t be?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Eflin: “I feel better than I ever have in my life and I’m fully prepared to be ready for that first week of the season”