Orioles option Akin and put Davis on 60-day injured list

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 26, 2021, 4:30pm

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Keegan Akin has fallen out of the rotation competition in Orioles camp.

First baseman Chris Davis has gone on the 60-day injured list.

There's more activity this evening than the game against the Yankees in Tampa.

Akin, second baseman/outfielder Jahmai Jones and middle infielder Richie Martin were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander Fernando Abad and infielder/outfielder Chris Shaw were reassigned to Twin Lakes camp.

The Orioles also announced the signing of left-hander Wade LeBlanc to a one-year major league contract and the placement of Davis on the 60-day injured list with a lower back strain.

The 40-man roster remains full. The spring training roster is down to 36, clearing up the confusion that comes with having the Twin Lakes side no longer a minor league camp in 2021.

Players have been spread out, and many of them obviously didn't count against the spring training total, which wasn't apparent back in February.

Akin arrived in Sarasota as a favorite to make the rotation, but he allowed 10 runs and 15 hits with seven walks and 14 strikeouts in nine innings.

Last night's outing against the Pirates sealed his fate. Akin surrendered six runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings, and his lapses in command led the Orioles to option him.

John Means is the only confirmed starter, but Dean Kremer and Matt Harvey are expected to join him in the rotation. Akin's removal from the picture could benefit rookie left-hander Bruce Zimmermann, who's allowed one hit in nine scoreless innings, and Jorge LÃ³pez, who faced the Yankees tonight and tossed five scoreless innings with two hits.

LeBlanc is back in consideration and on the 40-man with his new deal after the Orioles granted his request for his release yesterday afternoon. There are two Rule 5 pitchers, Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells, who are trying to stick around as relievers and have more of an opportunity tonight.

FÃ©lix HernÃ¡ndez hasn't been ruled out of the rotation despite a sore right elbow that's limited him to a soft bullpen session since March 16.

The Orioles could put LeBlanc and LÃ³pez in the rotation and use Zimmermann in long relief. It's one of multiple possibilities. Zimmermann also could break camp as a starter.

What happens to HernÃ¡ndez is a mystery.

A 40-man spot would need to open for him. LeBlanc is taking Davis' place.

Davis was in the lineup for the Feb. 28 opener, batted twice and left with back pain. He's been receiving daily treatment, but unable to participate in workouts.

His placement on the 60-day IL, which prevents him from returning until May, seemed like a formality.

The Orioles still owe Davis $46 million of the franchise-record $161 million he received in his seven-year deal.

Jones and Martin were expected to report to the alternate camp site in Bowie and eventually the Norfolk Tides when the minor league season begins in May. Martin has returned from hamate bone surgery in January, but ran out of time.

Pat Valaika, RamÃ³n UrÃas and Stevie Wilkerson remain in the utility race. The Orioles must decide on a three-man or four-man bench.

Abad lost out in the left-handed relief competition after allowing seven earned runs (10 total) and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings in six appearances.

Shaw was a longshot to make the club after the Orioles outrighted him off the 40-man and extended an invite.

Ten players must be removed from the camp roster before opening day on April 1. Here's the updated list:

Pitchers
Shawn Armstrong
Thomas Eshelman
Conner Greene
Eric Hanhold
Matt Harvey
FÃ©lix HernÃ¡ndez
Dean Kremer
Travis Lakins Sr.
Jorge LÃ³pez
Mac Sceroler
Cole Sulser
Dillon Tate
CÃ©sar Valdez
Tyler Wells
Paul Fry
Wade LeBlanc
John Means
Tanner Scott
Bruce Zimmermann