Keegan

Akin

Bassitt was given an opener two starts ago, and he wound up throwing six innings of one-run ball against the Athletics. He carries a 5.44 ERA into Friday’s matchup versus Jack Flaherty and the Tigers.

Akin returns to Baltimore’s high-leverage mix behind closer Ryan Helsley after missing the opening month of the season with a groin strain. The 31-year-old southpaw has compiled a strong 3.36 ERA across 142 innings spanning 130 appearances for Baltimore over the last two seasons.

Akin has not been able to pitch in 2026 due to a left groin strain picked up just before the end of spring training. The left-hander will be a key cog in the Baltimore bullpen once healthy.

Akin recently picked up the groin injury over the weekend and was unable to pitch in the final spring games. He may not be out for long, but he will start the season on the injured list.

That according to manager Craig Albernaz. Akin is projected to be a big part of the Baltimore bullpen, but a trip to the injured list to open 2026 can’t be ruled out. This also could be precautionary with camp ending soon, but the left-hander’s status should be updated shortly regardless.

Akin filed at $3.375 million. He’s still doubling his 2024 salary of $1.475 million after a year in which he finished with a 3.41 ERA despite diminished peripherals. Akin had a 97/19 K/BB in 78 2/3 innings in 2024 but finished at 59/33 in 63 1/3 innings last year.

Akin needed just nine pitches to collect his third save in four days. It’ll be interesting to see if the Orioles risk using him again Saturday for a fourth time in five days. If not, Yennier Cano might get a save chance.

That’s two saves and 35 pitches in two days for Akin, so he’ll probably get Thursday off. If the Orioles have a late lead then, Yennier Cano or Dietrich Enns might get the call.

The 30-year-old southpaw took over in the ninth with a one-run lead to protect. He did allow a one-out single to Chase Meidroth that put the tying run on base, but he rallied to strike out Kyle Teel and Colson Montgomery in succession to close it out. Akin has done a nice job out of the Orioles’ bullpen this season, posting a 3.20 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 56/31 K/BB ratio over 59 innings of work while converting six saves in 12 opportunities.

Keegan Akin had recorded the final out in the eighth and started the ninth with a two-run lead over the Blue Jays. He recorded one out and was replaced by Cano with a runner on. Cano surrendered three straight hits that would tie the game before Alejandro Kirk knocked in the walk-off run with a sacrifice fly, charging Cano with a blown save and his seventh loss.