The Orioles have reinstated right-hander Austin Voth from the 60-day injured list and optioned righty Mike Baumann to Triple-A Norfolk, per a team announcement. Left-hander Keegan Akin, who’s been out since late June due to a back injury, was moved from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to create 40-man space for Voth’s return.
Voth, 31, has been out since mid-June due to an elbow issue but recently wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment, pitching 11 1/3 frames of 3.97 ERA ball across three minor league levels. Prior to hitting the injured list, Voth had pitched to a 4.94 ERA in 31 innings out of the Baltimore bullpen, punching out 21.5% of his opponents against a 9.7% walk rate along the way.
The O’s claimed Voth off waivers from the Nationals on June 7, 2022, and immediately received improved results from the longtime Nats prospect. He’d allowed 21 runs in 18 2/3 innings with Washington in 2022 and posted an overall 5.70 ERA in 189 2/3 innings as a member of that organization. Voth, however, tossed 83 innings of 3.04 ERA ball down the stretch in Baltimore, making 22 appearances — 17 of them starts. Voth and the O’s agreed to a one-year, $1.85MM deal with a club option over the winter, avoiding arbitration in the process.
Given the way the 2023 season has played out, the O’s might not be keen on picking up that $2.45MM club option. Even if the team declines, however, Voth would remain under club control as an arbitration-eligible player. The O’s could decline that $2.45MM salary and still try to work out a deal with Voth at a lower rate — somewhere between this year’s salary and that would-be club option price. Of course, Baltimore could also consider non-tendering Voth and moving on entirely. His performance down the stretch will go a long way in determining that outcome.
Akin, 28, finds himself in a relatively similar situation. The southpaw had a strong 2022 season with the O’s, compiling 81 2/3 innings with a 3.20 ERA, 23.4% strikeout rate, 6.1% walk rate, 49.3% grounder rate and 1.10 HR/9. He’s had a rough go of it in ’23, however, pitching to a 6.85 ERA in 23 2/3 innings. Akin has actually slightly improved his strikeout rate, maintained his walk rate and cut back on the home runs he’s yielded. However, his grounder rate has also tanked, and opponents are clobbering his pitches (90.7 mph average exit velocity) after struggling to make hard contact in 2022 (87.8 mph). A .434 average on balls in play is surely due for some regression, but the uptick in hard contact and a line-drive rate that’s jumped from 18.1% to 28.6% underlines the fact that Akin’s struggles can’t be chalked up to poor luck alone.
Like Voth, Akin will be eligible for arbitration this winter. He’s going through that process for the first time, so he’ll be looking for his first raise of note over the league minimum. Akin’s success out of the ’pen in 2022 could well be enough to convince the Orioles to tender him despite this year’s poor results, but it’s not a lock they’ll choose to do so. Akin has already been out since late June, so the move to the 60-day IL is largely procedural. He’s already missed nearly 60 days, so this move won’t materially alter his path to a return. Akin began a minor league rehab assignment in late July but had a setback after two appearances and has yet to get back into a game.
Voth cannot pitch out of the bullpen.
He’s effective as a starter that can prepare himself for his next assignment.
Baumann has been pretty bad this year. The O’s coaching staff can’t seem to fix him.
Baumann is up and down. This is also his first time full time out of the pen. He might just be a run of the middle reliever though.
Voth is only good when he starts. The problem is that he’s a 5 inning starter if you’re lucky. A lot of 4 inning starts.
Like Bryan Baker is also. Though I prefer Baumann have the ball over him any day of the week.
Fuji’s roster spot is in question in the coming weeks. He has not been straightened out and Baumann may very well come take that spot from him. Means is taking a spot from someone as well.
Jacob Webb, on the other hand, is looking like our biggest relief acquisition. He’s been great. We need it too.
Can’t hit a HR every time we acquire someone. Fuji has a few more weeks to prove it or he’s not sniffing that postseason roster.
BrianStrowman9;
Yes, Webb has been fantastic. It’s obvious what they’re doing – bringing in candidates to pitch in relief with the idea of keeping those that stay healthy and perform on the roster for the playoffs.
Have noticed one trend – Hyde has been using the relievers differently, often pulling them within an inning….
Perez was out of whack, they got him n line some, but lately will limit him to 2-3 batters he matches up well with.
Fuji blows hot and cold, so he may be a candidate for that. When he has control his stuff is on he’s literally unhittable. But he can’t seem to work through the bad days. He had a great stretch, then 2 poor games, yet came back last appearance and was dominating again. Hyde may need to treat him like Perez and pull him immediately if he doesn’t have it that night.
He’s even been pulling Cano within an inning.
Nevertheless, the O’s are on it so I’m just watching and enjoying the ride – most fun team to watch in MLB this year along with the Braves. It’s interesting to watch the team play and realize how the FO, coaching staff and manager are working in harmony to get the most out of the players they have on that days roster each game. These are very bright and skilled people. Those that see MLB through the eyes of public statistics and rotisserie league don’t understand what’s going on….and it’s truly a shame. Watching teams such as the O’s, Rays, Astros, Phillies and a few others play the game correctly is so much fun (I’m keeping an eye on the Tigers for the near future).
“Pretty bad” is quite a harsh evaluation for what Baumann’s role was this season. He’s taken the ball 56 times and didn’t surrendered a run in 34 of those outings. Baumann is a middle reliever meant to cover multiple innings as often as possible (usually when the starter can’t make it deeper into a game) and his ERA is below 4 — what are you expecting from a guy in that spot?
@misterb71
Recency bias.
It’ll be interesting though how the O’s stitch together the bullpen and rotation in the coming weeks. IF all the guys anticipated to be back are okay (big if)… seems like Means, DL Hall and Wells are likely back in Baltimore for the stretch run.
So who does that bump out?
I really want Fuji to turn a corner because of his ceiling but wow, when he’s off, he’s really off.
Agreed on Bauman – people need to understand the ebb and flow of a long season. 3.82 ERA and that is skewed by his last few outings when he is clearly fried or perhaps even injured based on drop in velocity.
Wins are a bit of luck but he was 9-0 until 2 nights ago. Given when he pitches that’s pretty impressive. Several of those wins were after scoreless 10th innings so huge for the Os. He’s just fried after 56 outings – many of which were multiple innings.
His going to the minors is the same as Wells – get some rest and recharge his arm.
This piece and all the comments ignore that Voth and Aiken were obviously pitching with injuries, as guys trying to stay in the majors often due. As a result they have bad numbers. All that matters is whether Voth is healthy again.
Almost no point responding to suggestions that Fuji will get sent out. Just ridiculous. Yes he had two meltdowns, but O’s staff can work w 102 and a good splitter.
He hung two splitters for homers – it happens – and the staff has already made an adjustment on its velocity and release. We should be talking about locking him up for next year.
He’s given up multiple runs 3 times and has been scored on 5. 9 walks with us so far. His control has not been sharp on too many occasions. we’re talking about a month to get straightened out.
Postseason roster is different than what you roll out in the regular season. He has to earn his spot over the next month. The team is getting healthy.
There’s your difference maker right there….
The Os also have John Means about to come back from his TJ rehab in early September. And, DL Hall has been looking great in AAA lately as a likely bullpen reinforcement down the stretch.
(Tyler Wells will likely be back, working out of the bullpen, too.)
Orioles fans should be more upset at the lack of moves for the bullpen this deadline. We have Stockholm syndrome. Crazy how many fans liked just getting flaherty
Jacob Webb has been as impactful as any reliever that was moved thus far. I’m not sure we put a claim in if we would’ve acquired another guy at the deadline. Funny how things can work out.
Again though, it’s dangerous to rely on waiver wires in mid October. Most teams don’t operate this way. Maybe the starter depth will allow them to have different arms out of the pen in the playoffs.
Which one of those relievers would’ve really moved that needle though?
D-Rob’s a good pitcher w/ a lot of experience but he was pretty costly and not an elite bullpen arm. Chapman, off the field issues aside, was the only true elite reliever that changed hands. He would’ve been a huge upgrade to our pen. But if it wasn’t him or Hader—-the other arms available weren’t in that class. (& Hader wasn’t even available)
Jacob Webb is making as much of an impact as any of them. Cano was a 2ndary piece in a deal last year. So if it works, it works.
Kendall Graveman was my ideal guy minus Hader who wasn’t for trade. I agree that they have the depth and guys are stepping up, but I do worry how the playoffs may pan out. I just think they had a chance to really bolster and lockdown that back end of the pen, but they didn’t. Still a great team. Still a fun time in birdland. I do think they can still win it all with the guys they have, just was a little upset they didn’t do a tad more. Let’s go Os!
Not at all. O’s have Wells, Means, Coulombe and Hall coming. They do r need bullpen arms.
@2012:
they couldn’t. if the O’s had spent any more than league minimum, ticket prices would have to be raised drastically.
Johnny Boy sez so and he’s not one to tell fibs.
Sure they shoulda traded Colton Cowser and some other prospects for a 2 month rental. Or maybe even more for Otani – oh but that would have been a huge mistake now.
Come on – can you be happy the team is 30 games over 500 – competing a year or two before we even thought possible and perhaps acknowledge Elias knows more than the fans.
You wouldn’t have had to trade near Colton Cowser for a bullpen arm.
Hey all
Maybe that 5th starter role will have to be that TBD and be a bullpen day. If Voth can get 4 good innings followed by a couple of the relievers such as Wells that might be what they have to do. Even more strain on this bullpen though. Of course, having an actual rotation of 5 starters would be better, but if anyone’s seen the comments John Angelos made to the NYT no one’s eager to open the wallet so apparently hoping the patchwork holds up will be the modus operandi for this year and years to come..
Means coming back would be a great story. I’ve looked at him all year as not contributing anything to 2023 so anything he does manage to do is a plus. He’s a great mid rotation guy on a good team (not an ace, folks). If he was able to contribute on “bullpen day” let alone make an effective start in 2023 that’s a huge win.
Man Fuji is inconsistent! I’ve seen both his Jekyll and his Hyde in the past week or so. A powerful fastball isn’t everything, as Brad Pennington and Daniel Cabrera can attest and they got far too many innings.
Realistically, this team should have Toronto’s record. Look at its 1 run and 2 run record this year. Let’s hope the regression doesn’t come in 2023. While there are 7 against BOS, 4 against TBR and 3 against HOU left down the stretch, there are still places to make hay (CHW, WSN, COL, STL)
You can’t be comparing Fuji to those two guys after one month.
As to the Jays the difference in their records is named Felix Bautista.
Thornton you might have a meltdown if this team keeps on winning……