The Orioles’ persistent roster reshuffling continued Monday when the club recalled right-hander Dean Kremer.

Kremer will start Monday’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His return comes at the expense of left-hander Cade Povich, who spun a gem Sunday by allowing one run in 6 2/3 innings.

Albernaz said there was thought as to whether the Orioles should keep Povich in the bullpen, but the team determined the starting pitching depth was more important.

“His best bet to help us is to be a starter,” Albernaz said.

Shortly before first pitch Monday, the Orioles announced another flurry of roster moves that included first baseman Ryan Mountcastle being moved to the 60-day injured list because of a broken bone in his foot he suffered Saturday. To replace Mountcastle on the active roster, the Orioles called upon utilityman Weston Wilson.

Baltimore also acquired infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash. The Orioles optioned Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Norfolk, and they made room for him on the 40-man by moving right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo to the 60-day injured list for his shoulder inflammation.

Infielder Jackson Holliday, meanwhile, isn’t expected to return to the major leagues this week, Albernaz said. He’s still recovering from surgery to remove his broken hamate bone in his hand. Holliday was at Camden Yards taking grounders Monday (Norfolk was off).

Holliday’s rehab assignment in the minors began March 27. He can remain for 20 days, so the final day of his rehab assignment is Wednesday, but there are exceptions to that. If he is returned to the majors (even without being added to the active roster) and the club notifies the commissioner’s office of the intent to begin a new rehab assignment, that new assignment can begin after a five-day buffer period.

Holliday told The Virginian Pilot last week that his hand wasn’t completely back to normal. He said he’s “working through some things,” including building strength back in his right hand. Holliday underwent surgery Feb. 12 to remove his broken hamate bone.

That doesn’t seem to be unusual.

“You’re going to feel it,” Orioles hitting coach Brady North said Sunday. “It’s never comfortable when a hitter feels something in his hand. You get jammed, you don’t like it. And you just have that sensation probably for the next four to five months. But not concerned with Jackson at all. He’s going to be just fine.”

Kremer, in a surprise, was optioned at the end of spring training because the rest of the rotation was healthy. Early off days in the schedule meant the Orioles felt they were best served keeping Kremer with Norfolk where he could stay on schedule. The season-ending elbow surgery that right-hander Zach Eflin underwent last week opened a place in the rotation for Kremer to fill.

“When you hear that news in spring training, it was a big blow for him, but like I said, he handled it like a pro, went down to Triple-A, got his work in, and he’s ready for this moment,” Albernaz said. “He’s very excited to take the ball for us and be in our rotation.”

The Orioles turned to right-hander Brandon Young and Povich for spot starts this month because the timing of Kremer’s starts in Triple-A didn’t line up well; he wouldn’t have been on full rest. But Kremer pitched Wednesday, and pushing the other starters back a day allows him to start Monday on regular rest.

Kremer has been a reliable figure in Baltimore in recent seasons. He’s coming off a campaign in which he recorded a 4.19 ERA in 171 2/3 innings. In two starts for Norfolk this year, Kremer pitched 4 2/3 innings each time. His second start was more crisp, with six strikeouts, no walks and no runs against him.

“You’re trying to make the best decision for your overall organization,” pitching coach Drew French said last month. “As much as we miss and we love Dean, we know he’s going to be putting one foot in front of the other and, when the time is right, he’s going to be impactful for this team to get where we want to go.”

Historically, April has been a difficult month for Kremer. In his career, he has produced a 6.24 ERA over the first month of the season. September and October, inversely, are when he pitches his best, with a 3.31 ERA.

Losing Eflin to Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery is a blow, though, because it immediately eats into Baltimore’s pitching depth. Eflin said Sunday he decided to have the surgery quickly in the hopes of jump-starting the recovery process. Elbow reconstruction surgery generally takes 12-18 months of recovery, but Eflin said he hopes to return early in 2027.

Eflin required back surgery in August, and after that operation he said he felt better than ever. He completed a healthy spring training. Then, in the fourth inning of his first regular-season start, Eflin threw a fastball and knew something was wrong.

After all the work to return, an immediate injury made Eflin feel “like my heart was ripped out of my chest,” he said.

Eflin hopes to be around the club still, though. His presence carries weight in the clubhouse. But Kremer’s return offers Baltimore veteran leadership, too.

Wilson can play all over, but the 31-year-old should mostly be in the mix at the corner infield and corner outfield spots. He didn’t get off to a strong start for the Tides in Triple-A, with a .195 average in 12 games. Still, Wilson impressed during spring training and Albernaz described Wilson as a “grinder baseball player” who can fill multiple roles.

Encarnacion-Strand, 26, is an interesting reclamation project to add to the organization. The Reds recently designated him for assignment. Encarnacion-Strand burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023 by producing an .805 OPS, but he hasn’t reached those levels since. He began this season at the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate.