Should the Baltimore Orioles Bring Back Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers?

The Baltimore Orioles should consider bringing back Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers, but only at the right price. Both pitchers could make the rotation stronger in 2027, though it's clear both players have some risk.

Eflin barely pitched in 2026. The 32-year-old right-hander made one start, throwing 3 2/3 innings before right elbow discomfort led to Tommy John surgery on April 8th.

He also underwent back surgery in August 2025 after an injury-filled season, making his availability a major concern heading into next year. Baltimore signed him to a one-year, $10 million contract last winter that includes a mutual option for 2027, giving both sides a decision to make. Given Eflin will miss a good chunk of 2027, the Orioles are expected to decline. However, that does not mean his run in Baltimore is coming to an end.

Eflin has been effective when healthy. Signing him to a cheap one-year deal with incentives could make sense if the medical outlook is encouraging early on.

Rogers is a bit of a different case. The 28-year-old left-hander completed 30 starts and threw a career-high 169 2/3 innings in 2026. He finished 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA, 1.185 WHIP and 157 strikeouts.

He was not as dominant as he was during his 1.81 ERA campaign in 2025, but his durability has real value for a rotation that struggled to stay healthy all year, aside from Eflin's season-ending injury.

The Orioles acquired Rogers from the Miami Marlins at the 2024 trade deadline, sending Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers to Miami.

After a difficult first few starts in Baltimore, Rogers rebounded in 2025 and became one of the more important pieces in the rotation. He is now likely headed for free agency, and bringing him back would give Baltimore an established starter without surrendering prospects.

There will be other options. Tarik Skubal and Kevin Gausman headline the free agent starting pitcher market, while Freddy Peralta could provide another alternative. Sonny Gray also has a mutual option and could be available.

A rotation featuring Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Eflin and Brandon Young has potential, but it is not a finished product.

Bradish is coming off sports hernia surgery and Eflin must prove he can return from Tommy John down the road. Baltimore finished 79-82 and fourth in the American League East. The rotation needs help, but the Orioles cannot afford to build around too many health questions at once.

Bringing Rogers back makes sense at a reasonable price. Eflin is worth considering if the terms reflect his risk. It's going to be an important offseason for Mike Elias in Baltimore.