Looking back, Orioles rookie starter Keegan Akin can laugh at his spring training as he discusses it.
Two months and a freak injury later, though, Akin is in the big league rotation the way he was meant to be for Opening Day — and pitching well now that he’s finally back.
Making his second start of 2021 in Friday’s 3-1 win over Cleveland, the 26-year-old left-hander pitched five shutout innings with four strikeouts and four base runners reaching. Akin stranded two in the second and third innings before retiring the last six batters he faced.
Akin said he had to rely on his fastball and slider more with his changeup not working the way he wanted it to, but he was glad to be able to throw his slider in any count.