BALTIMORE — What was inevitable from the moment Zach Eflin suffered a season-ending elbow injury finally became official Monday with the Orioles recalling Dean Kremer to rejoin their starting rotation.
However, making the corresponding roster move wasn’t as easy after left-hander Cade Povich pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball to register the win in Sunday’s 6-2 victory over San Francisco. It was a good problem to have and even prompted some consideration about keeping the 26-year-old in the bullpen before Baltimore ultimately optioned Povich back to Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles were already using their eighth different starting pitcher in only their 16th game of the season with Kremer starting the series opener against Arizona, which was all the more reason to keep Povich stretched out and starting for the Tides instead of giving him less frequent relief work in the majors.
“We thought about it for sure. But I think the depth is real by having another [starter],” Albernaz said. “With what he’s proven to do at this level, especially this year as a starting pitcher, we just need the starting pitching depth. But that’s something that is always constantly being talked about and really evaluated. But right now, his best bet to help us is to be a starter.”
After leading the 2025 Orioles in innings pitched, Kremer being sent to the minors at the end of spring training was easily the most surprising roster move made by president of baseball operations Mike Elias. But rotation plans changed quickly when Eflin tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in his 2026 debut and underwent Tommy John surgery last week.
Since Kremer’s schedule in Norfolk didn’t align with Eflin’s turn in the rotation, the Orioles elected to have the 30-year-old right-hander make a couple starts at Triple-A to ramp up, which created opportunities for Brandon Young and Povich to each start a game for Baltimore. In 9 1/3 innings for the Tides, Kremer allowed three earned runs and eight hits while striking out 12 and walking two.
The Orioles are happy to have him back in the rotation now.
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“When you hear that news from spring training, it was a big blow for him, but he handled like a pro,” said Albernaz about Kremer. “He went down to AAA, got his work in, and he’s ready for this moment. He’s very excited to take the ball for us and be in our rotation.”
Holliday not returning for current homestand
With Ryan Mountcastle fracturing the fourth metatarsal in his left foot in Saturday’s win, many thought second baseman Jackson Holliday might be the one to take his place on the 26-man roster.
But Albernaz said Holliday isn’t expected to be activated from the injured list this week despite his rehab assignment being scheduled to conclude Wednesday. With Norfolk off on Monday, the 22-year-old Holliday was at Camden Yards working out prior to Monday’s series opener against Arizona, so it’s unclear what the next step is in his return from having hamate bone surgery in mid-February.
In 46 plate appearances for Norfolk, Holliday has gone just 7-for-42 with two doubles, 12 strikeouts, and three walks.
Prior to Monday’s game, the Orioles placed Mountcastle on the 60-day IL, which allowed them to select the contract of veteran utility player Weston Wilson from Norfolk to take his place. In three seasons with Philadelphia, the 31-year-old produced a slash line of .242/.328/.428 over a combined 245 plate appearances.
On Monday, the Orioles also acquired infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand from Cincinnati in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Norfolk. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, Baltimore transferred right-handed reliever Yaramil Hiraldo (right shoulder inflammation) to the 60-day IL.
