​The Baltimore Orioles announced reliever Keegan Akin underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, putting an end to his season with a lengthy recovery ahead.Akin had been on the injured list since June 29, when he was initially sidelined with left elbow discomfort after he had felt soreness in the elbow in an outing against the Washington Nationals on June 27. He had been transferred to the 60-day injured list on Monday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe elbow reconstruction procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas.Last week, manager Craig Albernaz had said that Akin would meet with Meister this week for an evaluation on his injury. Unfortunately, that evaluation led to the decision to undergo the procedure that will likely sideline him throughout next season as well.Akin had struggled for the most part this season, but really found a stride over his last month on the mound. The left-hander owns a 5.68 ERA in 24 appearances, but had a 0.61 ERA in his last 12 appearances before the injury.The southpaw had long been one of the Orioles’ most consistent arms out of the bullpen. Over the prior four seasons, Akin had recorded a 3.64 ERA and owned a 25.4% strikeout rate, while walking batters at a minimal rate.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHeading into the season, Baltimore expected Akin to be their primary lefty in the bullpen, but struggles led to him seeing less opportunities in high-leverage roles. With his absence, Grant Wolfram remains in the bullpen as the lone left-handed option.If Baltimore ends up opting to buy at the upcoming trade deadline in early August, a left-handed reliever will presumably be at the top of their wish list with Akin’s injury.Now in his seventh season, all of which with the Orioles, Akin would have fit the bill of an ideal trade candidate had Baltimore opted to sell. But since he is in the final season of his contract and is set to be a free agent at the end of the year.Akin, 31, will now head into free agency with a long road ahead, as the 2027 season is most likely out of the picture for him to pitch in.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBaltimore will continue to rely on righties Rico Garcia and Tyler Wells as the most reliable arms in their bullpen, but a need for another left-handed reliever may be urgent should the Orioles aim to contend beyond the trade deadline.