BALTIMORE -- As the Orioles continue to construct a core for the long term, they have now helped solidify their bullpen for the next several seasons.
On Friday, Baltimore agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with right-handed reliever Yennier Cano that includes a club option for the 2029 season, the team announced. The 32-year-old will earn a guaranteed $7.5 million over the ‘27 and ‘28 campaigns, according to a source, with the option worth $10 million. (The team did not announce the terms.)
Cano will earn $2.75 million in 2027, then $4.75 million in ‘28, per a source.
Cano’s deal is the fourth extension given out by the O’s over the past year, as he joins catcher Samuel Basallo (eight years, $67 million last Aug. 22) and right-handed starters Shane Baz (five years, $68 million on March 27) and Kyle Bradish (five years, $90 million on July 18) in inking longer-term contracts.
Baltimore also signed first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million free-agent deal last Dec. 11, as the ownership group led by private equity billionaire David Rubenstein -- which purchased the team in March 2024 -- continues to invest heavily in the club.
“We are thrilled to have Yennier continue as an Oriole,” Rubenstein said in a statement. “[President of baseball operations] Mike Elias and his team’s ability to identify talent inside and outside the organization is positioning us for sustained success.”
Elias acquired Cano in a deal ahead of the 2022 Trade Deadline, as the Orioles sent right-handed reliever Jorge López to the Twins in exchange for four Minor League pitchers, a group that included both Cano and left-hander Cade Povich.
Cano went on to have a breakout season out of Baltimore’s bullpen in 2023, when he recorded a 2.11 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in 72 2/3 innings over 72 appearances. He earned the lone All-Star selection of his career after posting a 1.48 ERA in 37 games during the first half.
This year, Cano had a 2.21 ERA through 48 outings entering Friday night’s opener vs. the Phillies at Camden Yards. He owns a 3.78 ERA over 268 career big league appearances from 2022-26.
“Yennier has been outstanding for us both on and off the field since his arrival in 2022,” Elias said in a statement. “He has blossomed into one of the game’s most reliable and consistent relief pitchers. We are proud of all the hard work he has put in alongside our development team and are pleased he and his family will remain in Baltimore.”
Cano was arbitration-eligible for the first time this past offseason and negotiated a $1.6 million contract for the 2026 season. His new deal buys out his final two years of arbitration and potentially what would have been his first year of free agency, if the option is picked up.