Akin gets start Friday night in Kansas City

The Orioles have revealed only a small portion of their rotation plans.

Left-hander Keegan Akin is starting Friday night against the Royals in Kansas City, but the next two spots are listed as TBA.

Possibilities include Thomas Eshelman and Spenser Watkins. Jorge López is on the bereavement list and veteran Matt Harvey is pushed back to the Rays series.

The corresponding roster move for López will be announced on Friday. Dean Kremer started Tuesday night for Triple-A Norfolk and left-hander Zac Lowther started last night. Lowther allowed five runs and four hits, including two homers, in one-third of an inning.

Akin is 0-4 with a 7.54 ERA and 1.676 WHIP in 12 games, including seven starts. He worked 4 1/3 relief innings Saturday afternoon against the White Sox and allowed four runs with six strikeouts.

Left-hander John Means is moving his rehab assignment to Memphis, where he's starting tonight for Norfolk. Means is expected to rejoin the team in St. Petersburg, Fla.

* I wrote yesterday about the Orioles signing undrafted free agent catcher Logan Michaels and right-hander Daniel Federman. A third name, per multiple trackers, is right-hander Carson Carter of the University of Oklahoma.

Carter, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound junior, was 3-0 with a 4.39 ERA and 1.317 WHIP in 25 relief appearances. He allowed 20 earned runs and 33 hits, walked 21 batters and struck out 51 in 41 innings.

Carter, 23, made five relief appearances in 2020, his first season with the Sooners, and allowed three earned runs and six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

* The game between the Orioles and Rays Tuesday night at Tropicana Field will air exclusively on YouTube.com.

This is an historic broadcast featuring a first-ever all-female team, with MASN's Melanie Newman providing play-by-play with analyst Sarah Langs and reporter Alanna Rizzo.

Heidi Watney and Lauren Gardner are serving as co-hosts for the pre-game and post-game shows.

The game can be seen at http://youtube.com/MLB.

Newman's first YouTube appearance came as play-by-play announcer for the June 22 game between the Athletics and Rangers.

* Tickets remain for the Orioles Hall of Fame luncheon at noon on Aug. 6 honoring shortstop J.J. Hardy, outfielder Mike Devereaux, broadcaster Joe Angel and superfan Mo Gaba.

A limited number of VIP tickets can be purchased that include a pre-luncheon reception, priced at $115, or the regular luncheon tickets at $75. Contact Keiko Baker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 443-596-7691.

Check-in and tickets will be available when you arrive at the luncheon at 333 W. Camden St.