Right-hander Kyle Gibson returned to the Baltimore Orioles after a one-season absence, agreeing Friday to a $5.25 million, one-year contract.

Reaching a deal less than a week before opening day, Gibson figures to join a rotation projected to include right-handers Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano.

Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez will start the season on the injured list because of inflammation in his throwing elbow.

Gibson, a 37-year-old who went 8-8 with a 4.24 ERA in 30 starts for St. Louis last year, can earn an additional $1,525,000 in performance bonuses.

He was 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 starts for the Orioles in 2023 on a $10 million, one-year deal, then agreed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals that included a $12 million salary. St. Louis declined a $12 million option for 2025 in favor of a $1 million buyout.

Gibson is 112-108 with a 4.52 ERA in 324 starts and six relief appearances over 12 seasons with Minnesota (2013-19), Texas (2020-21), Philadelphia (2021-22), the Orioles and Cardinals.

Bibee signs 5-year deal with Guardians

Right-hander Tanner Bibee has signed a five-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians.

The team announced the deal on Saturday. It includes a club option for 2030.

Bibee, 26, will get his first opening-day assignment on Thursday at Kansas City. He went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA last season, finishing with 12 quality starts in 31 outings and 187 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings.

Bibee had 10 wins during his rookie season in 2023 and was second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He is the third Cleveland pitcher since 2000 with at least 10 wins in each of his first two seasons in the big leagues. Hall of Famer CC Sabathia (2001-02) and Shane Bieber (2018-19) are the others.

Cleveland selected Bibee in the fifth round of the 2021 amateur draft. He will anchor a young rotation this season that will be missing Bieber for at least the first half as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Briefly

Tigers >> The Detroit Tigers cleared the path for top prospect Jackson Jobe to open the season in the rotation on Saturday when they optioned right-handed pitcher Keider Montero to Triple-A Toledo. Jobe is expected to join AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Reese Olson and Casey Mize in the rotation.

Royals >> The Kansas City Royals confirmed Saturday they have acquired outfielder Mark Canha from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Royals will send a player to be named later or cash to the Brewers for Canha, 36.

White Sox >> Chicago White Sox infielder Brandon Drury will miss the start of the season because of a fractured left thumb. The White Sox also announced Saturday that right-hander Drew Thorpe is going to have season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Yankees >> Carlos Carrasco’s impressive spring performance has earned the right-hander a major league contract with New York and a spot in the Yankees’ rotation.

Blue Jays >> Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho, who is still recovering from shoulder surgery, will open the season on the injured list.

Diamondbacks >> Arizona hard-throwing right-hander Justin Martinez has agreed to an $18 million, five-year contract as he continues to compete for the role of Diamondbacks closer.