Orioles' Keegan Akin: Earns win despite blown save
Rotowire
Akin (4-2) earned the win despite blowing a save against the Mariners on Wednesday, retiring both batters he faced while allowing one inherited run to score in the ninth inning.
The southpaw was summoned to face lefty Dominic Canzone with one out and the tying run on third in the ninth after Yennier Cano struggled to start the frame. Akin recorded two outs on just two pitches but was ultimately charged with a blown save when Canzone tied the game on a sacrifice fly. While Cano's usage to start the inning suggests interim manager Tony Mansolino is willing to play late-game matchups, Akin owns a 3.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB across 43.2 innings and should remain the favorite for save opportunities with Felix Bautista (shoulder) sidelined for the remainder of the season.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Stuck with loss, blown save
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Akin (3-2) took the loss and a blown save in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to the A's. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two in the ninth inning.
Akin had converted his previous two save chances, allowing just one earned run over four innings in the absence of Felix Bautista (shoulder). Overall, the southpaw Akin sports a 3.56 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB across 43 innings. Despite the hiccup Sunday, Akin should remain Baltimore's primary ninth-inning option for the time being.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Earns second save
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Akin earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Athletics, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Akin was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and needed just 11 pitches to seal the win. Since returning from a shoulder injury, the southpaw has logged four scoreless outings in five appearances while converting both of his save chances. He owns a 3.21 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 41:22 K:BB with two saves and 12 holds across 42 innings and may be emerging as the Orioles' top option for save opportunities.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Allows walk-off homer
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Akin (3-1) took the loss in Sunday's 5-3 contest against the Cubs, yielding two runs (one earned) on one hit while failing to retire a batter.
The Orioles southpaw entered the game with the score knotted at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth. After Dansby Swanson reached on a throwing error, veteran Justin Turner cracked a walk-off, pinch-hit long ball on the first pitch he saw. Akin converted a save Saturday to stake a claim as Baltimore's go-to closer while Felix Bautista (shoulder) is out of action, but this performance could add uncertainty to his control over that position. He has pitched to a solid 3.38 ERA and 9.0 K/9 in 40 total innings and remains in a battle with Corbin Martin and Yennier Cano for the closer role.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Collects first save of season
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Akin walked two and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Cubs.
With Felix Bautista (shoulder) on the IL and the O's having shipped out their other established high-leverage arms at the trade deadline, the closer job is wide open. Corbin Martin got the save Tuesday but worked the sixth inning Saturday with Baltimore in a 3-0 hole, while Yennier Cano handled the eighth and Akin got the ninth with lefties Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker due up for the Cubs. Interim manager Tony Mansolino may elect to play matchups and go with a closer committee unless someone emerges from the pack, but Akin's fantasy appeal will grow even if he gets only a share of the save chances.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Back from shoulder injury
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The Orioles activated Akin (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Akin missed a month of action with left shoulder inflammation but has been cleared to return after making three rehab appearances. The southpaw should see some high-leverage appearances in the Orioles bullpen, but he could be a candidate to get moved elsewhere ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Starting rehab assignment
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Akin (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Akin has missed most of July with left shoulder inflammation but is ready to test himself in a game setting. Because the left-hander's absence has been relatively brief, Akin will likely require just a couple rehab appearances before rejoining the Orioles' active roster.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Facing hitters Monday
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Akin (shoulder) will throw live batting practice at the Orioles' complex in Florida on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Assuming everything goes well during Akin's live session, the plan is for him to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk sometime next week. The 30-year-old southpaw has been on the IL since July 2, so he likely won't need more than one or two tune-up appearances in the minors before rejoining the Orioles.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Gets injection in shoulder
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Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Wednesday that Akin will be shut down 5-to-7 days after receiving an injection in his injured left shoulder, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The hope is that the injection will speed along the healing process and allow Akin to begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break. Akin has put up a 3.38 ERA and 38:18 K:BB over 38 innings out of the bullpen in 2025.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Serving as opener Thursday
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Akin will serve as the Orioles' opening pitcher in Thursday's game versus the Tigers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Dean Kremer had been scheduled to start, but he now appears slated to serve as a bulk reliever. Akin has opened twice for the Orioles this season, tossing a combined 2.2 frames in those outings.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Exits with trainers
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Akin exited Saturday's game with three trainers, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Akin threw only one pitch and allowed a hit, but the Orioles threw out JJ Bleday at home to end the fifth inning. Rather than stay out for the sixth, Akin was seen walking to the visitors' clubhouse with three trainers. The nature of the issue is currently unclear.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Serving as opener Tuesday
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Akin will open Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Akin has given up at least one run in three of six appearances so far this month, but he'll be tasked with handling the first inning or so of Tuesday's matchup before handing the ball to Chayce McDermott, who's set to serve as the primary pitcher.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Opening nightcap
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Akin will start Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Akin has been fairly reliable out of the bullpen this season, turning in a 3.27 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 11 innings. He'll now be tasked with opening the second game of a twin bill before turning things over to Charlie Morton, who will pitch in bulk relief.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Stuck with first loss
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Akin (3-1) allowed three runs (one earned) on one hit and struck out one over one-third of an inning to take the extra-inning loss and a blown save Wednesday versus the Red Sox.
Akin gave up a walk-off three-run home run to Tyler O'Neill in the 10th inning. Over his previous nine appearances, Akin had yielded just one run over 10.1 innings while posting a 16:1 K:BB. He's generally had success in a low-leverage role this year, posting a 3.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 87:17 K:BB while picking up five holds and three blown saves in 59 appearances.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Reinstated from paternity leave
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The Orioles activated Akin from the paternity list Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Akin missed the last three games while tending to more important family matters but will be available for the remainder of the Orioles' weekend series against the Astros. The left-hander has had an excellent season for Baltimore, collecting a 3.52 ERA and 78:16 K:BB over 64 innings.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Allows homer but grabs win
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Akin (2-0) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one over 1.1 innings, picking up a blown save but earning the win and over Atlanta on Wednesday.
Akin ended up squandering a two-run lead when he gave up a home run to Matt Olson in the top of the eighth inning. The Orioles got it right back on a Colton Cowser blast in their half of the frame, and Craig Kimbrel closed out the win. Akin has had a mild case of reverse splits this year -- lefties are hitting .245 off the southpaw, while right-handed batters have hit just .206. Overall, he's pitching better to all hitters this season, and he has a 4.13 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB over 32.2 innings in a low-leverage role. Akin may see slightly tougher matchups moving forward, as he is one of two southpaws left in the bullpen, along with Cionel Perez, to cover for the absence of Danny Coulombe (elbow), who is expected to have a relatively short stay on the injured list.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Nabs win Thursday
Rotowire
Akin (1-0) allowed a run on one hit and one walk over 1.1 innings, earning the win Thursday versus the Yankees. He did not record a strikeout.
Kyle Bradish went 4.2 innings in his return from an elbow injury, failing to qualify for the win. Akin was able to get the last out of the fifth inning, and while he gave up a solo home run to Gleyber Torres in the sixth, the Orioles' lead was never in danger. Akin has been scored on in just three of his 15 appearances this season, pitching to a solid 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB over 15 innings while adding four holds. Akin is serving more as a regular reliever than a multi-inning option in 2024, though the southpaw can handle longer assignments when necessary.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Sharp in spring
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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
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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: 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.
