The news on Keegan Akin isn’t any better this week.

The Orioles won’t have Akin in their bullpen for the rest of the season, and possibly beyond.

Akin underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow earlier today with Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas. The Orioles described it as “successful” in their announcement.

Akin was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to June 28 with left elbow inflammation before moving to the 60-day yesterday. He hasn’t caught a break in 2026, missing the beginning of the season with a groin strain suffered while warming in the bullpen before the last Grapefruit League game at Ed Smith Stadium.

His first appearance with the Orioles came on April 25 in a 17-1 loss to the Red Sox, when he retired the side in order and struck out two in the eighth inning but was charged with six in the ninth. Akin got into 24 games and registered a 5.68 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.

Manager Craig Albernaz confirmed over the weekend that Akin had an ulnar collateral ligament injury and would visit Meister, which struck an ominous tone. Closer Ryan Helsley has been diagnosed with inflammation around the UCL and is staying with the team to rehab.  

The Orioles selected Akin in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Western Michigan University. He debuted in 2020 and made 23 starts among 32 appearances in his first two seasons before transitioning to relief.

The roles varied, including opener, and Akin gained the trust over time to work in higher leverage situations. He posted ERAs of 3.32 and 3.41 the past two years while appearing in a combined 130 games. He ranked second on the team in appearances behind Yennier Cano in both seasons.

Beyond rehab, the future is cloudy for Akin. He’s a pending free agent and his tenure with the Orioles could be drawing to a close.

Meanwhile, the team’s bullpen is down to one left-hander again, Grant Wolfram, after Nick Raquet was optioned Monday to Triple-A Norfolk. Multiple roster moves are coming with Blaze Alexander headed to the injured list with a non-displaced fracture in his left hand.

Alexander won’t need surgery, but he could be out until late August or September.