The Baltimore Orioles transferred left-handed reliever Keegan Akin from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, citing left elbow discomfort. Akin had originally been placed on the 15-day IL on June 29 with a left UCL injury, and an MRI the following day confirmed the diagnosis. He was scheduled to meet with noted elbow specialist Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday for a second opinion. The 60-day transfer today reflects the likelihood he won't return anytime soon.
Reconstructive surgery could be in the future for Akin, who has been in a mainstay in the Orioles bullpen and clubhouse the past few seasons. He was the team's most counted upon lefty out of the bullpen. Players on the 60-day IL do not count against the 40-man roster, freeing up a spot the club can use to add another arm, which it also did on Monday by acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever Cam Sanders for cash.