What Happened to Shane Austin Baz?
Shane Baz is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles. After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017 and later traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, Baz made his MLB debut in 2021 but faced significant setbacks due to elbow and Tommy John surgeries in 2022 and oblique issues in 2024. He returned to pitch a full season in 2025 with the Rays and was subsequently traded to the Orioles in December 2025, where he is now finalizing a long-term contract extension as of March 2026.
Quick Answer
Shane Baz, a right-handed pitcher, was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Baltimore Orioles in December 2025. After overcoming multiple injuries, including Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2023 season, he pitched a career-high 31 starts in 2025. As of March 27, 2026, Baz is finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension with the Baltimore Orioles, positioning him as a key part of their starting rotation for the upcoming seasons.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Houston, Texas
Shane Austin Baz was born in Houston, Texas.
Drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates
Baz was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round (12th overall) of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft from Concordia Lutheran High School.
Traded to Tampa Bay Rays
Baz was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays as a player to be named later in the trade that sent Chris Archer to the Pirates.
Named to US Olympic Team
Baz was named to the roster for the United States national baseball team for the 2020 Summer Olympics, held in 2021 in Tokyo, where the team won a silver medal.
MLB Debut with Tampa Bay Rays
Shane Baz made his Major League Baseball debut for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Undergoes Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery
Baz underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, delaying his start to the 2022 season.
Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
Baz underwent Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire 2023 baseball season.
Activated from IL and Optioned to Triple-A
After recovering from Tommy John surgery and dealing with oblique injuries in Spring Training, Baz was activated from the injured list and optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls.
Recalled by Tampa Bay Rays
Baz was recalled by the Tampa Bay Rays and made his first MLB outing in over 700 days, crafting a quality start.
Pitches Career-High 31 Starts
Baz made 31 starts for the Rays, compiling a 10-12 record with a 4.87 ERA and 176 strikeouts over 166.1 innings, marking his first full healthy season.
Traded to Baltimore Orioles
The Tampa Bay Rays traded Shane Baz to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for prospects Caden Bodine, Slater de Brun, Austin Overn, Michael Forret, and a 2026 draft pick.
Signs 1-Year Contract with Orioles
Baz signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles to avoid arbitration.
Finalizing 5-Year, $68M Extension with Orioles
As of today, Shane Baz and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Shane Austin Baz, born on June 17, 1999, embarked on his professional baseball journey when he was selected 12th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2017 MLB draft. His tenure with the Pirates was brief, as he was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays in August 2018 as part of the trade that sent Chris Archer to Pittsburgh.
Baz quickly rose through the Rays' minor league system, showcasing his potential. He gained international experience, earning a silver medal with the United States national baseball team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, held in 2021. His Major League Baseball debut came on September 20, 2021, with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he impressed in his limited starts.
However, Baz's promising career was soon interrupted by a series of injuries. In March 2022, he underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Further discomfort led to Tommy John surgery on September 28, 2022, which forced him to miss the entire 2023 season. He began the 2024 season on the injured list due to oblique issues but was activated and optioned to Triple-A Durham on May 23, 2024, before being recalled to the Rays on July 5, 2024. In 2024, he made 14 starts for the Rays, compiling a 4-3 record with a 3.06 ERA.
The 2025 season marked a significant return to health and form for Baz, as he made a career-high 31 starts for the Rays, registering a 10-12 record with a 4.87 ERA and 176 strikeouts across 166.1 innings pitched. This performance, demonstrating his ability to handle a full season's workload, made him an attractive trade target. On December 19, 2025, the Rays traded Baz to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for multiple prospects and a 2026 draft pick.
Upon joining the Orioles, Baz agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract to avoid arbitration in January 2026. As of March 27, 2026, Shane Baz and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a significant five-year, $68 million contract extension. This long-term commitment underscores the Orioles' belief in Baz's potential to be a top-of-the-rotation arm, especially after making adjustments to his pitch mix, including focusing on a cutter over a troublesome slider. He is expected to be a key starter for the Orioles in the 2026 season and beyond.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Shane Austin Baz made different choices?