Orioles and Shane Baz Ink Five-Year Extension

By JJ Misiewicz

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

March 27, 2026

The Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Shane Baz have agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $68 million. This was first reported by Jeff Passan. Baz, a former first-round pick to the Pittsburgh Pirates, was a top prospect with the Tampa Bay Rays before getting traded to the Orioles this past off-season.

Injury Riddled

Baz came to the Rays as apart of the Chris Archer deal, as the “player to be named later,” alongside Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow. Baz made his major league debut in September 2021, and made three starts that year. Unfortunately, he’d have three separate injuries involving his throwing elbow. Firstly, arthroscopic surgery in March to remove nomadic fragments. Secondly, an elbow sprain in July. Finally, in September, he underwent Tommy John surgery, forcing him out of the entire 2023 season.

Before the 2024 season started, he suffered an oblique injury due to weightlifting, which delayed his return until May of that year. He has stayed pretty healthy ever since, outside of missing six games in August 2024 due to the flu.

Faith in His Progress

Shane Baz struggled during the 2025 season, posting a 4.85 ERA in 166 1/3 innings in his first full season of play. However, this extension clearly signals that the Orioles organization has faith in him. However, the Rays were playing in George M. Steinbrenner Field, a wasteland for pitching. Baz recorded a 5.90 ERA at home, as opposed to a 3.86 ERA elsewhere. Another thing to add is that the Rays were without Shane McClanahan, who was recovering from Tommy John surgery himself. Everyone in the Rays’ rotation needed to step up in the meantime.

Despite this, Baz garnered a huge prospect haul when he was traded to the Orioles. Slater de Brun (#6 prospect), Caden Bodine (#10), Michael Forret (#11) and Austin Overn (#30) were all top 30 prospects in the Orioles organization. To top it off, the Rays also snagged the Orioles competitive balance round A pick in the 2026 draft.

Looking Ahead

Baz currently slots in as the No. 3 starter in the rotation behind Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish. Without having to pitch at George M. Steinbrenner Field as often, this extension from the Orioles could prove fruitful for Baz.