The Baltimore Orioles made significant changes to their pitching staff on Tuesday, recalling right-handed pitcher Yennier Cano and selecting Corbin Martin’s contract. In moves that further reshape their bullpen, the team designated right-hander Matt Bowman for assignment and placed lefty Keegan Akin on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to July 1, due to left shoulder inflammation. Amid these changes, the Matt Bowman designated for assignment Orioles news caught attention as the club aims to stabilize its pitching depth while dealing with injuries.
Corbin Martin Returns to Majors After Triple-A Stint
Corbin Martin, age 29, once ranked among baseball’s top-100 prospects with the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks. He became part of the high-profile 2019 trade that sent Zack Greinke from Arizona to Houston, but despite moving between the Astros and Diamondbacks, Martin struggled to establish himself as a fixture in either rotation. At the time of the trade, he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, which contributed to a slow start to his post-trade career. Across his major league tenure so far, Martin has tossed 57 2/3 innings, posting a 6.71 ERA, with a strikeout rate of 19% and a walk rate of 13.6%. He’s been notably vulnerable to home runs, averaging 2.5 allowed per nine innings.
Baltimore claimed Martin off waivers last June after a brief tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers, who had just picked him up from Arizona. The Orioles later removed Martin from their 40-man roster, but he resurfaces now after providing 32 1/3 innings and a 5.29 ERA with Triple-A Norfolk. This season at Triple-A, Martin struck out 23% of batters and cut his walk rate to 10.4%. Although his numbers for the full season have not been exceptional, Martin has recently shown improvement—since May 30, he delivered 12 innings, allowing only one run on three hits, walking four, and striking out 11. Should Martin enter a game for Baltimore, it will mark his first major league appearance since 2022.
Veteran Matt Bowman Faces Third DFA With Orioles This Season
Matt Bowman, 34, has now been designated for assignment by Baltimore three times since Opening Day. Bowman previously accepted outright assignments to Triple-A Norfolk after clearing waivers on prior occasions. In his 19 games for the Orioles this year, Bowman has posted a 5.79 ERA over 23 1/3 innings, with a 15.7% strikeout rate. While he’s maintained an impressive 5.6% walk rate, he has also hit two batters and allowed four home runs (1.54 per nine innings).
Through parts of seven big league seasons, Bowman has pitched for seven different teams, including four clubs so far in 2024. Across 239 1/3 major league innings, he has recorded a 4.32 career ERA with an 18.7% strikeout rate and an 8% walk rate. Baltimore must now trade him or place him on outright waivers within the next five days. Based on previous episodes this season, Bowman may again clear waivers and accept a return trip to Norfolk to await another call-up to Camden Yards.
Keegan Akin Goes to Injured List, Yennier Cano Returns Early
Yennier Cano had just been optioned to Norfolk last week but is allowed to return to the big league roster sooner than the 10-day minimum because he will replace an injured player. Left-handed reliever Keegan Akin, who lands on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, has contributed 38 innings with a 3.32 ERA for Baltimore this season. Akin’s 23.3% strikeout rate has been paired with a career-high 11% walk rate; before this season, his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB walk rate over more than 300 innings was just 7.4%.
Recently, Akin reduced his walks, going 4 2/3 frames without issuing a free pass. However, he conceded three runs (two earned) in just one inning during his last outing. Despite the setback, there were no significant decreases in velocity or obvious signs of trouble during that appearance. The decision to place Akin on the injured list means he will be sidelined through at least the All-Star break as he recovers.
Implications for Orioles’ Bullpen and Upcoming Roster Moves
The Orioles’ latest pitching moves come as the team seeks stability amid injuries and inconsistent performances in their bullpen. The introduction of Corbin Martin and the early return of Yennier Cano reflect Baltimore’s search for effective combinations as the midseason grind intensifies. With Matt Bowman designated for assignment yet again, his future remains uncertain pending a trade or waiver decision. Keegan Akin’s recovery timeline will be watched closely, as the Orioles look to maintain momentum while weathering the loss of a key reliever. The coming weeks, leading to and beyond the All-Star break, will reveal whether these changes can help solidify the team’s late-game pitching strategies and support Baltimore’s postseason ambitions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is the mother of Matt Bowman?
A. Bowman’s mother is Margaret Chou, and his father, William Bowman, has passed away.
Q. Where is Matt Bowman from?
A. Bowman grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and went to St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. During his senior year, he earned the titles of All-Met Player of the Year and All-Conference. He played as a shortstop and pitched right-handed. As a pitcher, his earned run average was 0.70, and as a batter, he hit .419.