Starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, the right-handed ace who spent the 2024 season with the Orioles, is sticking close to home instead of returning to Baltimore.

Burnes is signing a six-year, $210 million contract with the Diamondbacks, according to multiple reports, with an opt-out clause after two years. Burnes’ agent said at the winter meetings that the righty hadn’t ruled out a return to the Orioles, adding last week that it boils down to ownership. But this move makes sense for Burnes, who spent off days last season traveling to his home in Arizona to be with his three children. It also offers him the long-term deal on a contending team he was seeking.

According to a source with direct knowledge, the Orioles made a competitive offer for Burnes but it did not reach the level of the deal he ultimately agreed to. The source declined to indicate the specifics of the offer.

The Diamondbacks, like the Orioles, recently went through a rebuild. Arizona, unlike Baltimore, has extended its youngest star, giving Corbin Carroll, who won the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year Award, an eight-year, $111 million contract in his first full season. The Diamondbacks have brought in veterans to bolster their young roster, too, including starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez and infielder Eugenio Suárez. Arizona has also had playoff success with its rebuilt team, advancing to the World Series in 2023 before falling to the Rangers.

The Orioles acquired Burnes in February, giving up two young players in exchange for one season of the former Cy Young Award winner. He performed up to his ace billing, pitching to a 2.92 ERA, starting the All-Star Game for the American League and earning consideration for a second Cy Young. His season was highlighted by his start in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, when he allowed one run as he pitched into the ninth inning.

Without Burnes, the Orioles will move forward with an opening day rotation that will likely include Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Tomoyuki Sugano, Dean Kremer and Albert Suárez. Cade Povich, Trevor Rogers and Chayce McDermott are also options, with Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish expected to be healthy midway through the season.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said the team wanted to add one starting pitcher this winter — which it did with Sugano — but to not necessarily count on bringing in two. The options are limited if they want to sign another arm. Jack Flaherty, who had a rocky half season with the Orioles in 2023 but rebounded in 2024 to win a World Series with the Dodgers, is the top free agent available.

The Orioles could also go to the trade market. Seattle right-hander Luis Castillo and San Diego right-hander Dylan Cease could be options if they go that route.

Orioles reporter Andy Kostka contributed to this report.