Shane Baz hasn’t made an official start for the Orioles. His first appearance in a regular season game comes Sunday afternoon against the Twins at Camden Yards.

The organization’s commitment to him will be much longer than the day they traded for him.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported that the Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension with Baz, the No. 3 starter in their reconstructed rotation.

Baz, 26, was scheduled to earn $3.5 million, an agreement that avoided a possible arbitration hearing. The new deal buys out two years of his free agency in 2029 and 2030.

Four prospects went to the Rays in December in exchange for Baz – Cadine Bodine, Slater de Brun, Michael Forrett and Austin Overn. Bodine and de Brun were drafted by the Orioles in 2025.

A Competitive Balance A Round pick also was sent to the Rays.

Baz has a lifetime 4.25 ERA and 1.227 WHIP in 54 starts. He missed the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and posted a 3.06 ERA in 14 starts the following year.

A first full season in the majors in 2025 produced a 4.87 ERA in 31 starts and convinced the Orioles that he could be durable member of a rotation that has Kyle Bradish returning from 2024 elbow ligament-reconstructive surgery.

Baz made three starts in spring training, allowed three runs and struck out 14 batters in 10 1/3 innings.

Manager Craig Albernaz recently said Baz’s upside is “a Cy Young winner.”

In December, president of baseball operations Mike Elias explained why he traded for Baz.

“I had a lot of familiarity with him and we know what kind of athlete he is and the ceiling that he’s got,” Elias said, referencing his days scouting Baz when the right-hander was in high school. “Obviously, we’ve ponied up for this deal. He’s a very talented pitcher. That’s hard to get your hands on, and we’re really excited to work with him.

“He’s at a really good juncture after the Tommy John surgery and sort of platforming into 2026. So we kind of think he’s ready to go and we’re really expecting we’re going to get the best chunk of his career here coming up.”

Elias has negotiated his second contract extension in seven months. Catcher Samuel Basallo signed for $67 million over eight years, with an option for 2034, on Aug. 22.

It was the largest pre-arbitration contract for a catcher.

Note: MASN and MASN+ will air 19 Triple-A Norfolk Tides games this season, beginning with tonight’s opener against Nashville.

According to the press release, MASN expects to announce more games for the Orioles’ other three full-season minor league affiliates – the Double-A Chesapeake Baysox, High-A Frederick Keys and Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds – in the coming weeks.

“MASN is excited to bring Norfolk Tides baseball to fans throughout the region,” MASN executive vice president and general manager Greg Bader said in a statement. “Broadcasting the Tides and other Orioles affiliates will allow O’s fans to see the franchise’s stars of tomorrow on MASN today and further connect them to their teams.”

You can find the complete schedule here.

Update: The Orioles announced the five-year extension. They didn’t provide any other terms, but it’s the largest contract given to a pitcher in franchise history.

“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,” Orioles control owner David Rubenstein said in a statement. “Thanks also to Mike Elias and the baseball operations group for helping to keep Shane as an Oriole for years to come.”

“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,” Elias said in a statement. “Our ownership group, led by David Rubenstein, continues to provide our organization with support and resources as we pursue consistent success on the field.”

The team is holding a press conference Saturday morning with Elias and Baz at Camden Yards.