PRESS RELEASE
The Orioles announced Friday that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher SHANE BAZ on a five-year contract extension covering the 2026–30 seasons.
“This agreement with Shane continues our drive to build a championship-caliber roster. We thank Shane for his commitment to Baltimore, the Orioles, and our great fans,” said Orioles Control Owner DAVID RUBENSTEIN. “Thanks also to Mike Elias and the baseball operations group for helping to keep Shane as an Oriole for years to come.”
Baz, 26, would make his Orioles debut as the scheduled starter on Sunday. He was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on December 19, 2025, in exchange for four minor leaguers and a draft pick. The right-hander has posted a 4.25 ERA (135 ER/286.0 IP) in 54 career starts, including a 3.06 ERA (27 ER/79.1 IP) in 14 games after returning from right elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in 2024. Baz went 10-12 with a 4.87 ERA (90 ER/166.1 IP) with 158 hits (26 HR), 91 total runs, 64 walks, and 176 strikeouts in 31 starts for the Rays last season and his 9.52 strikeouts per nine innings and 24.8 percent strikeout rate both ranked in the top 20 of qualified major league pitchers last year. He was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round (12th overall) of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Concordia Lutheran (TX) High School. Baz was acquired by Tampa Bay along with right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Austin Meadows from Pittsburgh in exchange for right-hander Chris Archer on July 31, 2018.
“We were ecstatic to acquire a pitcher of Shane’s talent during the offseason and are thrilled we could come to a long-term agreement to keep him in Baltimore,” said Orioles President of Baseball Operations and General Manager MIKE ELIAS. “Our ownership group, led by David Rubenstein, continues to provide our organization with support and resources as we pursue consistent success on the field.”
