The Baltimore Orioles‘ bullpen was dealt a crushing blow on Wednesday.
The workforce introduced that left-handed reliever Keegan Akin underwent Tommy John surgical procedure, with Dr. Keith Meister performing the operation. Akin, 31, was initially positioned on the 15-day injured listing on June 29 with left elbow discomfort earlier than being transferred to the 60-day IL on Monday.
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Akin won’t solely miss the remainder of the 2026 season, however he could also be out for all the 2027 season as properly because of the prolonged rehab wanted to get well from the process. The southpaw will end 2026 with a 5.68 ERA, 4.36 FIP, 1.50 WHIP and 17 strikeouts towards 9 walks in 25.1 innings pitched.
Despite Akin’s struggles over the previous two seasons, this can be a huge loss for Baltimore as a result of their lack of different left-handed relievers; Grant Wolfram is at present the one southpaw within the Orioles’ bullpen. The unit at present ranks 18th in MLB with a 4.23 ERA, though that is an enchancment in comparison with 2025, when Baltimore relievers posted the sixth-worst ERA within the majors at 4.57.
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Akin has spent his complete seven-year profession with the Orioles up to now, and have become an integral a part of their bullpen after struggling as a beginning pitcher in his first two seasons. From 2022 to 2024, the lefty appeared in 135 video games and registered a 3.72 ERA and three.25 FIP throughout 184.0 innings, placing out 26.7% of batters with only a 6.1% stroll price.
2024 was unquestionably the most effective season of Akin’s profession as he emerged into a particularly reliable high-leverage arm. In 66 video games and 78.2 frames, he struck out 97 batters and walked simply 19 whereas posting a 3.32 ERA, 2.99 FIP and 0.94 WHIP.
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Unfortunately, each 2025 and 2026 have been a major step backwards. In 2025, Akin recorded -0.5 fWAR regardless of a seemingly respectable ERA of three.41; he had a 4.94 FIP, struck out solely 59 batters and issued an alarming 33 walks in 63.1 innings whereas being charged with six blown saves.
This 12 months, Akin missed most of April with a groin pressure and allowed 15 runs over his first 12 appearances. He confirmed enchancment by permitting simply three runs (solely one among which was earned) in his next 12 appearances, however reported elbow soreness after his outing on June 27.
Sadly, that look on June 27 could possibly be Akin’s final recreation in an Orioles uniform. He was set to develop into a free agent after this season, however whoever chooses to signal him on this coming winter will probably not get the chance to see him in motion till 2028.
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This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2026, the place it first appeared within the MLB part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.