Pair Of Orioles Relievers Ready For Spring Training

Bruce Zimmerman and Keegan Akin both say they're over their injuries and ready to win a job with Baltimore in 2024.

Two Baltimore Orioles relievers declared themselves ready for spring training during one of the stops on the team’s Birdland Caravan.

Pitchers Bruce Zimmerman and Keegan Akin were part of the event and each told masnsports.com that they’ve recovered from injures and should be ready to pitch when the team heads to Florida.

Fans might not have realized that Zimmerman was injured last season. He only pitched seven games for the Orioles, going 2-0 with a 4.73 ERA. He even threw two scoreless innings for the O’s in their next-to-last regular-season game against Boston.

But, he spent most of his season at Triple-A Norfolk and battled a core muscle injury starting in July. Zimmerman took cortisone shots to finish the season and then had surgery in October.

He told masnsports that he was a full-go for spring training and he’s even been working out in Florida in advance of camp.

“Been down in Florida for about two weeks now to get an early start and get in front of the training staff and that has been going really well,” Zimmerman said. “I should be full go when pitchers and catchers report.”

Akin, also a left-hander, got more work with the Birds in 2023, as he made 24 appearances (one start) with a 2-2 record and a 6.85 ERA. He also recorded three holds.

Akin spent the back half of the season on the injured list, starting in late June. He went on the 15-day injured list due to lower back discomfort. He returned to start a rehab assignment at Norfolk but made his final appearance on Aug. 3 before he went on the 60-day injured list.

Akin said he did not need surgery, and that he and team trainers did just about everything possible to avoid surgery.

“Right on schedule for spring and I’ve already thrown some bullpens,” Akin said.

Like Zimmerman, Akin is already in Florida in advance of spring training.

Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 14.