There you have it, folks!
The Baltimore Orioles are recalling right-handed pitcher Dean Kremer from the Triple-A Norfolk Tides to make Monday night’s start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team announced.
In a corresponding move, Baltimore is optioning left-handed pitcher Cade Povich, who made his first start of the season on Sunday, back to Triple-A.
Kremer, 30, began the season with Norfolk in a surprise move after leading the O’s in innings pitched just a year ago.
In two starts with the Tides, the veteran posted a 2.89 ERA, allowing three earned runs on eight hits in 9 ⅓ innings. Kremer also recorded 12 strikeouts across his two minor league outings this season.
Kremer started 29 games for the Orioles in 2025, accumulating a 4.19 ERA and 1.212 WHIP. The righty tallied 142 punch outs across the season, the second-most in a season in his career.
The month of April, however, has presented problems for Kremer over his six-year big league career.
In his last three season debut starts, he allowed under five earned runs just once. He also possesses a 6.24 ERA in April across his career, 1.67 points higher than his second-worst career monthly ERA.
For Povich, the transaction is a bit disheartening.
When the 26-year-old lefty exited the mound in Camden Yards on Sunday, he received a loud standing ovation.
That was because of the absolute diamond he threw against the San Francisco Giants to seal the rubber match and give the O’s back-to-back series victories.
Povich tossed 6 ⅔ innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out five. He walked zero batters.
The decision to send Povich back to the minors appears to be a temporary one. Baltimore likely intends to keep its young left-handed arm stretched out in the event that he needs to make another start next week.
At the very least, he proved his reliability and status as a viable starter should the team require a change, whether by performance or injury.
But, for Monday night, it will be Kremer taking on the Diamondbacks, a team he has a fairly discouraging track record against.
The 30-year-old has lost both of his starts against Arizona, one in May 2024 and one in April 2025. He owns a career ERA of 7.84 against Baltimore’s upcoming west coast opponent, translating to nine earned runs allowed in 10 ⅓ innings.
Two of Arizona’s most premier hitters, Corbin Carroll and Nolan Arenado, are also batting .500 against Kremer in their careers.
Obviously, this is not to write him off.
Kremer finished last season on an extremely high note, allowing just two earned runs across his last three starts with the O’s, which spanned 15 innings.
Hopefully, two starts is enough for Kremer to become acclimated and put the April jitters to rest as he aims to give Baltimore their third consecutive victory on Monday night.
