Akin has struck out four and walked one without allowing a hit or a run over four innings across three Grapefruit League games.
Akin and Jonathan Heasley appear to be in contention for a multi-inning spot in the Orioles' bullpen. Both players will likely feature at times this season, though neither is set for a fantasy-friendly role. Akin struggled with a 6.85 ERA over 23.2 innings last season and ended the year with a back injury, which doesn't appear to be a concern in 2024. His 2.95 FIP and .434 BABIP in 2023 suggest he was vastly unlucky, which could lead to a bounce-back campaign ahead.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Avoids arb with one-year pact
Rotowire
Akin (back) avoided arbitration with the Orioles on Friday, signing a one-year, $825,000 contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Akin missed the second half of the 2023 season due to a lingering back injury and posted an ugly 6.85 ERA in 23.2 innings when healthy, but the O's clearly believe he'll be able to return to form next year. The left-hander delivered a 3.20 ERA and 77:20 K:BB over 81.2 innings as a bullpen workhorse for Baltimore in 2022.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Transferred to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Akin (back) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
The move was made in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Austin Voth (elbow) , who was reinstated from the 60-day IL. Akin made a rehab appearance back on Aug. 3 but hasn't pitched since, which signals that he suffered a setback. He's already missed nearly two months of action with a nagging back issue.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Rehab shifts to Triple-A
Rotowire
Akin (back) joined up with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday to continue his minor-league rehab assignment, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Akin surrendered three earned runs in just one inning of work Monday in his rehab debut in the Florida Complex League, but he is discomfort-free following a month-long absence from live competition to heal a lower-back injury. The 28-year-old left-hander could return to Baltimore's bullpen mix by early next week.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Beginning rehab assignment
Rotowire
Akin (back) reported to the Orioles' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Monday to begin a rehab assignment.
Akin has been on the IL since June 30 due to lower-back discomfort but has now advanced to the final stage of his rehab program. He'll likely make an appearance in the FCL on Monday before advancing to a higher-level affiliate later in the week. Once the Orioles deem Akin ready to return from the IL, he'll presumably be ticketed for a lower-leverage role out of the bullpen.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Resumes throwing
Rotowire
Akin (back) played catch Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Friday marks the first time Akin has thrown since landing on the injured list June 30 with lower back discomfort. There's no clear timeline for his return, though he could make it back before the end of July.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Placed on 15-day IL
Rotowire
Akin was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with lower back discomfort, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
Akin appears to have picked up a back injury when he last pitched Wednesday, getting charged with a loss after he tossed two-thirds of an inning and allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out two batters versus Cincinnati. He'll now be unavailable for at least a couple weeks. Left-hander Nick Vespi was called up from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Akin on the major-league roster.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Takes loss Wednesday
Rotowire
Akin (2-2) allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning, taking the extra-inning loss versus the Reds on Wednesday.
Akin was brought in for the top of the 10th inning and couldn't complete the frame. His performance has taken a drastic downturn over the last week -- he's allowed 13 runs (10 earned) over four innings across his last four appearances. The slump has him at a 6.85 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB through 23.2 innings on the year. If Akin can't get back on track soon, he could find himself optioned out to Triple-A Norfolk.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Grabs second win
Rotowire
Akin (2-1) allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday over the Brewers.
The Orioles rallied ahead in the eighth inning with Akin in the game, giving him his first win since April 23. The southpaw has been alright as a middle reliever, allowing a run on seven hits with a 5:1 K:BB over his last 5.1 inning since he was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk in late May. He's at a 4.50 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB with three holds through 16 innings this season.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Opening Wednesday's game
Rotowire
Akin will serve as the Orioles' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Akin had made just one start for the Orioles since the beginning of the 2022 season, but he'll serve as the team's lead pitcher Wednesday after he made a pair of scoreless relief appearances upon returning from Triple-A Norfolk over the weekend. Since Akin hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, he's unlikely to work more than once through the batting order before turning the game over to Austin Voth, who is slated to work in bulk relief.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Called up Saturday
Rotowire
Akin was called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.
Akin will return to the big leagues after being sent down May 9, having produced a 1.29 ERA and 0.14 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over seven innings in four appearances with Norfolk. It's unclear what role he'll be with the Orioles, but he will replace Grayson Rodriguez on the major-league roster after Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday. Akin has only made one start in the majors since 2021, so it's most likely that he'll be deployed as a multi-inning reliever now that he's back with Baltimore.
The Orioles optioned Akin to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.
Akin claimed a spot in the Baltimore bullpen out of camp this spring, but he'll head down to the farm after struggling to a 5.91 ERA and 1.78 WHIP through 13 appearances covering 10.2 innings. The 28-year-old lefty posted a sharp 3.20 ERA across 81.2 frames with the O's in 2022.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Snags extra-inning win
Rotowire
Akin (1-1) issued two intentional walks and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the extra-inning win over the Tigers on Sunday.
Akin issued intentional walks to right-handed hitters in Eric Haase and Spencer Torkelson, and the strategy paid off. The Orioles southpaw was able to get lefty hitters Zach McKinstry and Nick Maton out to end a bases-loaded threat before Baltimore won with Adam Frazier darting home on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning. Akin has had his struggles in a low-leverage role, pitching to a 6.75 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB across 5.1 innings. He also has one hold.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Returns from paternity leave
Rotowire
Akin was activated from the paternity leave list by the Orioles on Monday
The O's are off Monday, but Akin will be back in their bullpen for Tuesday's game against the Nationals. Spenser Watkins was sent down in a corresponding move.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Expected back Tuesday
Rotowire
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters before Sunday's game against the White Sox that Akin (personal) is expected to come off the paternity list Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Akin will miss a total of three games while being away from the team. The left-hander will return to a middle-innings role in the Baltimore bullpen, and the team will need to send down a pitcher before the series against the Nationals begins.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Placed on paternity list
Rotowire
Akin was placed on the paternity list Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Akin has appeared in six games out of the bullpen this season and allowed four earned runs on eight hits across 4.1 innings. He'll be away from the team for at least Friday's game against the White Sox, though he could miss the entire weekend series.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Charged with loss
Rotowire
Akin (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Athletics.
Akin was able to work around a one-out single to get the last two outs in the seventh inning, but he put two runners on base in the eighth. Cionel Perez struggled to get through that frame, and Akin was charged with the loss, his first decision in six appearances. He's allowed four runs over 4.1 innings while adding four strikeouts and no walks through six appearances. The southpaw has typically filled a multi-inning role over the last two years, but he's recorded more than three outs in just one outing so far this season.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Impressing in spring
Rotowire
Manager Brandon Hyde has been impressed with Akin in spring training, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The numbers back up Hyde's feelings -- Akin has allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two over three innings across two Grapefruit League games. Hyde added that he wants to have several multi-inning relievers break camp with the Orioles, which indicates Akin has a good chance of being in that group. He covered 81.2 innings over 45 appearances (one start) in 2022, pitching to an excellent 3.20 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 77:20 K:BB.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Makes return to big leagues
Rotowire
The Orioles recalled Akin from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.
Akin and Beau Sulser were summoned from Norfolk to provide the Orioles with a pair of fresh relief arms after the bullpen covered 12.2 innings the past two days in the first two contests of a four-game set in Boston. Before being demoted to Triple-A on Monday, Akin had logged a 3.40 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 71:20 K:BB in 76.2 innings for Baltimore on the season.
