BALTIMORE -- One of the longest-tenured players in the Orioles’ organization is now facing a lengthy recovery.
On Wednesday, left-hander Keegan Akin underwent Tommy John surgery, the club announced. The procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington.
Akin, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday, had been on the IL since June 29 (retroactive to June 28). He reported soreness in his left elbow coming out of a June 27 outing against the Nationals at Camden Yards.
Manager Craig Albernaz said last week that Akin had sustained a left UCL injury and that the southpaw was scheduled to meet with Meister during the All-Star break. That led to the decision to undergo Tommy John surgery.
A seven-year MLB veteran, Akin has spent his entire professional career with the O’s, who drafted him out of Western Michigan University in the second round in 2016. The 31-year-old has a 4.55 ERA in 255 career games (30 starts).
This year, Akin had a 5.68 ERA in 24 appearances (including two as an opener). He had a 0.61 ERA over his previous 12 outings before going on the IL.
Without Akin, Grant Wolfram is the only left-hander in Baltimore’s bullpen. If the Orioles (46-51) decide to buy ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, they could target left-handed relief help.