The Orioles didn’t exactly shake the baseball world with their latest rotation move, but signing Zach Eflin to a one-year deal-with a mutual option for 2027-quietly adds a layer of intrigue to Baltimore’s offseason strategy.

It’s not the headline-grabbing ace fans might’ve hoped for, and Eflin’s status for Opening Day 2026 is still up in the air. But if the veteran right-hander can regain his form, this move could end up being one of the smarter low-risk, high-upside bets of the winter.

Let’s rewind for a moment and remember what a healthy Zach Eflin looks like-because when he’s right, he’s more than just a back-end innings-eater.

After arriving in Baltimore at the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for a package of prospects, Eflin made an immediate impact. Coming off a sixth-place Cy Young finish the year prior, he delivered a 2.60 ERA over nine starts to close out the season. That’s not just solid-it’s rotation-anchor material.

And to open 2025, he looked like he was picking up right where he left off. Eflin strung together three straight starts of at least six innings and no more than three earned runs, walking just one batter total in that stretch. His command was sharp, his tempo was smooth, and the Orioles looked like they had a legitimate No. 2 or No. 3 starter on their hands.

But then came the setback.

In that third start, Eflin exited after just 73 pitches, and soon after, he was shelved with a lat injury. He didn’t return until mid-May-and when he did, he simply wasn’t the same pitcher.

Over his next nine outings, the wheels came off. Eflin posted a 7.16 ERA, gave up 14 home runs, and was tagged for 64 hits.

The command wasn’t there, the movement on his pitches looked flat, and the results followed. Eventually, he hit the injured list again, this time with a back issue, and after a brief two-start return in July, he was shut down for good.

The diagnosis: a lumbar microdiscectomy, a back surgery with a recovery timeline ranging anywhere from four to eight months.

That wide window leaves his availability for the start of the 2026 season uncertain. We’ll likely get more clarity as Spring Training approaches, but for now, Eflin’s role is a bit of a question mark.

Still, when healthy, the numbers speak for themselves. In the 12 starts Eflin made for Baltimore from his 2024 debut through his first IL stint in 2025, he posted a 2.70 ERA with 55 strikeouts and just 12 walks.

He went at least six innings in 10 of those starts, giving the Orioles consistent length and quality. That’s the version of Eflin the Orioles are hoping to see again-and if they do, he’s a legitimate asset.

Of course, those 12 starts are only part of the story. The other 11 he made in an O’s uniform were marred by injury and ineffectiveness, which is why this deal makes sense for both sides.

Baltimore isn’t betting the farm here. They’re taking a calculated swing on a guy who, at his best, can be a difference-maker-but if he’s not ready or regresses, the team isn’t locked into a long-term commitment.

Eflin slots into a rotation mix that’s starting to take shape. Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, and newly acquired Shane Baz figure to headline the group.

If Eflin is healthy, he’s got a real shot to claim one of the remaining spots, likely competing with Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, and Cade Povich. Kremer and Eflin would be the early favorites, assuming health.

Wells has shown value in the bullpen before and could shift back there, while Povich might be ticketed for more seasoning in Triple-A or serve as a swing option.

What this move really highlights is something the 2025 Orioles learned the hard way: you can never have too much starting pitching. Injuries, inconsistencies, and the grind of a 162-game season demand depth, and Eflin gives Baltimore another experienced arm to lean on.

Importantly, this signing doesn’t preclude the Orioles from making a bigger splash. They still have the financial flexibility and roster space to pursue one of the top remaining arms on the free-agent market.

Eflin isn’t the move-he’s a move. And a smart one at that.

In the best-case scenario, Eflin returns to form and delivers mid-rotation production behind Bradish, Rogers, and Baz. In the worst case, he’s a depth piece who gives you veteran innings when needed. That’s the kind of move that doesn’t make headlines in December but can pay big dividends by July.

The Orioles are quietly building a rotation that’s deeper and more versatile than it was a year ago. With Baz and Eflin now in the fold, and possibly more to come, Baltimore is positioning itself to compete-and to withstand the inevitable bumps and bruises that come with a long season.