SARASOTA, Fla. β The Orioles made the surprise move to option right-hander Dean Kremer to the minors at the beginning of the season rather than carrying six starting pitchers.
Kremer has been one of Baltimoreβs most reliable arms since 2020. He posted a 4.19 ERA in a team-leading 171 2/3 innings last season, and he put together a fine spring training performance (five runs in nine innings). This, really, comes down to a numbers game.
With right-hander Zach Eflin apparently ready for opening day after impressing during his final spring start Friday, Baltimore would carry six starters, move one of the starters to the bullpen or option one of them. Kremer and right-handers Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz were the only starters with options, and Kremer became the odd man out of the five-man setup.
This doesnβt mean Kremer will be in the minors long. The earliest he can be called back up to the majors is April 9, unless there is an injury, in which case he can be added sooner as a replacement.
President of baseball operations Mike Elias gave three main reasons for optioning Kremer. One, the scheduled days off early in the season donβt make the six-man setup prudent. A six-man rotation also subtracts one reliever from the club, potentially exposing the team in late-game situations. And, in the minors, Kremer can remain stretched out as a starter.
βWeβve got a very long season ahead of us, and Iβm positive weβre going to need more than five,β Elias said. βWeβre pretty confident and hopeful itβll be a short-term affair, and we had an honest conversation with Dean about it and, in character with him, he was completely professional about it and heβll be ready when his nameβs called and hopefully thatβs not too long.β
The rotation appears to be set. Left-hander Trevor Rogers will take the ball opening day against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. The rest of the group consists of Bradish, Baz, Eflin and Chris Bassitt.
βDean is a big league pitcher, and to have someone like that, a big league-caliber starter in Triple-A, is great for our depth,β manager Craig Albernaz said.
On Saturday morning, when asked about piggybacking two bulk pitchers one after the other in a game, Albernaz said that possibility depended on multiple factors, including who the pitchers are. He said the same when asked about a six-man rotation. Elias wouldnβt commit to using a six-man rotation at some point this year, either, but he noted itβs possible.
βFirst couple of weeks in the season, when the starters arenβt going super long, when you have these off days, when you have April weather, it just doesnβt make a lot of sense,β Elias said. βWe did talk about it extensively, but maybe weβll get there at some point a little later.β
Albernaz said the Cleveland Guardians went to a six-man rotation at the end of last year, when he was associate manager. That setup allowed Cleveland to work with its young starters during midweek bullpen sessions as they continued to learn what it takes at this level.
But, with the veteran arms in this rotation, the benefit of a six-man rotation later in the season would have more to do with an extra day of recovery. The Orioles traded for Baz and signed Eflin and Bassitt to raise the floor of their rotation. Kremer will surely still be a key part of the group at some point.
Kremer hasnβt been optioned since 2021. The 30-year-old has carved himself a role as an innings eater. He holds a key place in the clubhouse, too, as Baltimoreβs MLBPA player representative.
Historically, Kremer has experienced slow starts to his seasons. His career ERA in April is 6.24. His career ERA in any other month is 3.88.
βHe pitches with moxie, poise, and heβs a bona fide big leaguer,β first baseman Pete Alonso said. βI know heβs going to help us win a lot of games this year. I know itβs unfortunate because heβs a good dude and a great competitor.β
There were questions as to whether Eflin would be ready for opening day after undergoing back surgery in August, but he has proven himself this spring. On Friday against the New York Yankees, he allowed one hit while striking out seven batters in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
βHe checked every box,β Albernaz said. βLast night was a big box for him.β
Without six starters, the back end of the bullpen appears to have one more opening. There are seven players who appear to be near locks: Ryan Helsley, Tyler Wells, Keegan Akin, Dietrich Enns, Rico Garcia, Yennier Cano and Grant Wolfram, although Akin didnβt pitch Saturday because he hurt his adductor muscle warming up. The Orioles are waiting to learn more on the severity of the injury.
If Akin is healthy, the final spot could go to Albert SuΓ‘rez, Jackson Kowar or Yaramil Hiraldo. SuΓ‘rezβs minor league deal includes an opt-out clause he could trigger if he doesnβt make the opening day roster.
This article has been updated.
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