Since Keegan Akin closed out last season in the Orioles starting rotation, it’s seemed like a given that he was headed for an Opening Day rotation spot in this season. That’s what you might have assumed, but things haven’t worked out that way. In a series of Friday evening roster moves, the Orioles shook up that presumptive Opening Day roster picture by optioning Akin to Norfolk.
The other players optioned along with Akin were infielder Jahmai Jones, received in the Alex Cobb trade, and former Rule 5 pick Richie Martin. Martin missed the early parts of camp due to a wrist injury suffered in winter ball.