Akin recorded the final two outs of Wednesday's 9-7 win over the Yankees to record his first save of the season.
It's the third career save for the southpaw, with the prior two being of the three-inning variety and not traditional save situations. The Orioles didn't look like they would have one of those either Wednesday, heading into the ninth inning with a 9-3 lead, but Matt Bowman made a mess of things and Akin got the call to retire Austin Wells and Giancarlo Stanton, giving Baltimore's high-leverage options like Seranthony Dominguez and Yennier Cano an extra day of rest ahead of the playoffs. On the season, Akin sports a 3.13 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 96:19 K:BB through 77.2 innings, but those career-best ratios have led to only three wins and six holds in addition to Wednesday's save.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Stuck with first loss
Rotowire
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: Snags win Saturday
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Akin (3-0) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Astros.
This was Akin's first game back from the paternity list, and he was able to capture the win after Jackson Holliday put the Orioles ahead with a three-run double in the sixth inning. Akin had been a little shaky recently, allowing five runs over 9.1 innings across his previous six appearances before welcoming his child into the world. Overall, the southpaw has a 3.46 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 79:16 K:BB while adding four holds over 65 innings this year, excelling as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for Baltimore.
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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: Headed to paternity list
Rotowire
The Orioles placed Akin on the paternity list Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Akin has served as a multi-inning reliver since joining the Orioles active roster Aug. 7, yielding four runs with a 11:0 K:BB across 7.1 innings during that stretch. He'll be away from the team temporarily to be present for the birth of his child. A corresponding move has yet to be announced.
The Orioles recalled Akin from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.
He'll make his return to the big club as a replacement on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Before he was sent back to Triple-A on Aug. 1, Akin had struck out 12 while allowing one earned run on four hits and two walks over 10 innings across his last nine relief appearances, so his demotion likely had more to do with the fact that he had a minor-league option remaining rather than the Orioles being dissatisfied with his performance.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Orioles optioned Akin to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.
Akin will be sent back to Triple-A in order to make room for lefty Trevor Rogers, who was officially activated Thursday after coming over from Miami in a trade Tuesday. Akin owns a 3.34 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 56.2 innings with the Orioles this season, and he'll be on the short list to return to Baltimore if the team needs to add another bullpen arm down the road.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Allows homer but grabs win
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
