Orioles get bad news on potential reunion with free agent pitcher

Conor Liguori

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Orioles get bad news on potential reunion with free agent pitcher image

The Baltimore Orioles are one of the many MLB teams that need to address their starting rotation this offseason, but they may already know who won't be returning in 2026. 

Right-hander Zach Eflin had a rough season that started and ended on the injured list. A right lat strain in April and low back discomfort in August limited him to 14 outings, and he posted a 5.93 ERA with 18 home runs allowed in 71.1 innings. 

Eflin is entering his age-32 season, and his numbers and effectiveness have taken a downward spiral in recent years. The Orioles acquired the 10-year veteran from the Tampa Bay Rays last summer in exchange for three prospects. 

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel warned MLB's 29 other clubs that signing Eflin this offseason comes with risk. 

"It seems like Eflin is becoming a pitch-to-contact guy and holding his breath on roughly two-thirds of his pitches," McDaniel wrote Thursday. "If he can get his velo to hold and then also locate well, he could still end up being a useful backend starter in 2026, but this set of facts also can result in an unconditional release before the All-Star break." 

Why McDaniel's warning is dire for the O's 

More than anything, the Orioles need more starting pitching depth in 2026 than they had in 2025. 

The brilliant end-of-season performance by Trevor Rogers, along with the returns of Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, should help. But Bradish and Wells are coming off long-term injuries, and Rogers has never thrown more than 133 innings in a season. 

If they don't land a frontline starter, re-signing Eflin wouldn't be the worst idea, but a gamble. 

After missing last year's postseason, the Orioles and their fans would like to see a different approach to roster construction, particularly on the mound. 

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Staff Writer