The Baltimore Orioles have optioned top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez to Triple-A Norfolk amid his struggles at the big league level.
In a corresponding move Saturday, the team recalled left-hander Keegan Akin from Norfolk.
Rodriguez, 23, is 2-2 with a 7.35 ERA in 10 starts. The right-hander has thrown 45⅓ innings with 56 strikeouts and 21 walks for a 2.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has given up 13 home runs.
In April, Rodriguez allowed 11 earned runs in 24⅓ innings for a 4.07 ERA. In May, he has an 11.14 ERA, giving up 27 runs (26 earned) in 21 innings over five starts.
On Friday, the Texas Rangers tagged him with nine runs (eight earned) in 3⅓ innings on six hits — three of them home runs — and three walks. He struck out six in the 12-2 loss.
Akin, 28, is 1-1 with a 5.91 ERA in 13 relief appearances for the Orioles this season.
In 2022, Akin had a 3-3 record with a 3.20 ERA and two saves in 45 appearances (one start).