Right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson is making a return to the Baltimore Orioles after a one-year absence, signing a one-year, $5.25 million contract on Friday.
The deal was finalized just days before opening day, and Gibson is expected to join a starting rotation that includes fellow right-handers Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer, and Tomoyuki Sugano.
Grayson Rodriguez, another right-hander, will begin the season on the injured list due to elbow inflammation.
The 37-year-old Gibson, who posted an 8-8 record with a 4.24 ERA in 30 starts for St. Louis last year, has the opportunity to earn up to an additional $1.525 million in performance bonuses. He can earn $150,000 for reaching 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 starts, and $125,000 for hitting innings milestones of 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150.
In 2023, Gibson went 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 starts for the Orioles while on a one-year, $10 million deal. He later signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals worth $12 million, but St. Louis declined a $12 million option for 2025, opting instead for a $1 million buyout.
Over 12 seasons with Minnesota (2013-19), Texas (2020-21), Philadelphia (2021-22), Baltimore, and St. Louis, Gibson has a career record of 112-108 with a 4.52 ERA across 324 starts and six relief appearances.
The Orioles’ rotation lost their ace, Corbin Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
