Baltimore Orioles: With Zimmermann out, who takes his place?

Unlike the other three members of this list, Spenser Watkins has made consistent starts for the Orioles over the past two seasons but has struggled to a career ERA of 7.33 in 84.2 innings.

Watkins was a member of the opening day rotation and saw increased usage after John Means went down for the season with Tommy John Surgery. Watkins himself has dealt with an injury this season as he left a start on May 22 against the Rays and was only recently activated before being optioned to Norfolk.

Despite the struggles, Watkins has shown that he can pitch at a major league level in short spurts. In both of his seasons, Watkins started off strong with the Orioles and had some impressive outings before tapering off and struggling as the season progressed.

Since he has not made a start for the Baltimore Orioles in exactly a month, the O’s may want to go to a player with not much upside but the proven capabilities to pitch in the big leagues.

While these four pitchers seem like the most likely options, it also seems possible that Keegan Akin could jump back into the starting rotation after having an impressive season so far in the bullpen.

Denyi Reyes is another player who is on the Orioles’ 40-man roster and has made a short start for the Baltimore Orioles this season in Boston. Regardless of what direction the Orioles choose to go in, they will need Zimmermann to prove that he deserves another shot in the rotation while he is in Norfolk.