Left-hander Keegan Akin has joined the Orioles’ bullpen.

Akin was reinstated from the 15-day injured list this morning, and Cameron Foster was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after his two scoreless innings last night.

This will be Akins’ 2026 debut. He strained his left groin while warming in the bullpen before an exhibition appearance in Sarasota.

“It’s huge,” said manager Craig Albernaz. “Obviously, he’s a guy that we were counting on coming into the season and him going down there in spring training was tough, but the rest of the guys in the bullpen stepped up, so now adding Akin, it definitely raises the floor of our ‘pen, just like adding (Andrew) Kittredge, too. So yeah, we’re excited to have Akin back.”

Akin said the rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk went quicker than he anticipated.

“I think the biggest one was the back-to-back earlier this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, so kind of do that and feel really good on Thursday was kind of the last check to check on the boxes,” he said.

Akin thought the injury might be more serious and cost him much more of the regular season.

“Honestly, I thought that it was gonna be longer, to tell you the truth, “ he said. “Just kind of a little freak accident. I slipped. It was pretty uncomfortable. Kind of gave me flashbacks a little bit to ’21 when I did it.

“Originally, I was like, ‘Oh boy, what could this be?’ Ended up being a little quicker than I expected, so glad to hear that.”

Adley Rutschman is catching an early game today after hitting two home runs last night, with a left-handed opposing starter influencing the lineup.

Blaze Alexander is in left field. Tyler O’Neill is in right, making his first start since going on the concussion injured list.

Taylor Ward is the designated hitter after collecting four singles and reaching base five times last night.

Trevor Rogers needs to bounce back after consecutive starts where he’s allowed a combined nine earned runs and 10 total in 9 2/3 innings. His career began to turn around in his first start in 2025 at Fenway Park, when he served as the 27th man for a May 24 doubleheader and tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings with two hits. He returned to Boston on Aug. 18 and held the Red Sox to one run over seven innings.

Rogers had made five career starts against the Red Sox and posted a 2.13 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.

The Orioles’ .394 batting average when ahead in the count is the third-highest mark in the majors.

Garrett Crochet finished second in Cy Young voting in the American League last season but has a 7.88 ERA and 1.625 WHIP this season in five starts. He was good in two outings – six scoreless in Cincinnati in his first start and two runs in 6 1/3 against the Brewers – but he allowed 10 earned runs and 11 total in 1 2/3 in Minnesota on April 13.

Crochet has made five career appearances (three starts) against the Orioles and allowed four runs in 22 innings.

For the Orioles
Taylor Ward DH
Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Pete Alonso 1B
Tyler O’Neill RF
Jeremiah Jackson 2B
Leody Taveras CF
Coby Mayo 3B
Blaze Alexander LF

Trevor Rogers LHP

For the Red Sox
Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Willson Contreras 1B
Wilyer Abreu RF
Trevor Story SS
Andruw Monasterio DH
Jarren Duran LF
Caleb Durbin 3B
Connor Wong C
Isiah Kiner-Falefa 2B

Garrett Crochet LHP