The Orioles entered spring training with a majority of their roster already set. The most surprising move came when Baltimore optioned Dean Kremer to Norfolk at the beginning of the season. The O’s signed Chris Bassitt to a one-year deal, and the front office decided to roll with Bassitt and Zach Eflin as the fourth and fifth starters.
Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish were cemented atop the rotation. The team made a significant commitment to trade acquisition Shane Baz, and Mike Elias inked Bassitt
and Eflin to one-year deals. Kremer had a minor-league option remaining, and Baltimore already had one of last year’s starters in the bullpen with Tyler Wells.
The move came as a surprise, but it made sense. Kremer holds a career 4.26 ERA over 127 games. Of those 127 appearances, all but three came as a starting pitcher. Baltimore knew it would need more than five starters to get through a season, and the team declined to mess with Kremer’s process by sending him to the bullpen.
Some hoped that Kremer’s delayed start to the season could offset his traditional struggles at the beginning of the year. Kremer holds a winning or .500 record in every month aside from March/April. His 6.12 ERA and 1.465 WHIP over 114.2 innings are by far his worst totals.
Baltimore made it 15 games before summoning Kremer from the minors. Eflin underwent Tommy John surgery after suffering a devastating injury earlier this month. Surprisingly, the Orioles turned to Cade Povich and Brandon Young before handing Kremer the ball on Monday.
Povich and Young both took full advantage of their first 2026 opportunities. Young shutout the White Sox over five innings in a spot start on April 6. His reward? A return to Norfolk. Povich limited Pittsburgh to two runs over 5.2 innings of mop-up duty on April 5, and he earned his first win of the season with 6.2 innings of one run ball against the Giants. His reward? A return to Norfolk.
The moves made sense. The Orioles wanted a fresh arm in both circumstances. Povich stuck around to make one start, but Baltimore needed another starter for Monday. Baltimore optioned Povich and summoned Kremer on regular rest.
Mike Elias likely mapped out these moves before the games even took place. Elias had to be thrilled watching the two young pitchers flourish, but he planned to option the pair regardless of whether they pitched spectacular, horrific, or anywhere in between.
That’s fine, but what’s next? Kremer struck out nine and did not walk a batter in five innings, but he also allowed three home runs. The 30-year-old appears set to make his second start when his turn comes up in Cleveland.
There is no such thing as too much pitching depth. There’s no problem here, and Kremer has earned his place in the rotation. He was the sixth starter on the depth chart at the beginning of the season, and he’s the fifth starter now that Eflin went down. The question becomes whether Povich and Young belong at Triple-A, or if their talent demands a place on the roster right now.
Baltimore sent Brayden Smith, a 13th-round Draft pick in 2025, to St. Louis to acquire Nick Raquet. With Keegan Akin and Dietrich Enns both on the injured list, the Orioles clearly felt a need to bolster their left-handed relief options. Raquet did not make a strong first impression.
The lefty allowed three runs in a three-run loss to San Francisco during his only appearance. Grant Wolfram has emerged as Baltimore’s primary southpaw, but it remains to be seen whether Raquet can be trusted in a leverage situation. Povich looks like the more reliable lefty right now.
Akin is set to begin a rehab assignment today. It makes sense to keep Povich in a starter’s routine and utilize him if when another injury takes place. That being said, the Orioles appear motivated to do whatever helps the team right now.
Baltimore designated former top pitching prospect Chayce McDermott for assignment earlier this week because the team lacked confidence in his ability to contribute this season. McDermott had an option remaining and could have continued working on his development as a reliever at Norfolk, but the Orioles elected to use the 40-man spot on guys like Raquet and Jayvien Sandridge instead.
Young looked like the starter that threw an immaculate inning against the Mets last July. He likely sits one slot below Povich on the depth chart, and Norfolk’s roster features multiple starters that could earn a promotion in the second half. If Wells, Albert Suárez, or another reliever begins to struggle, when does Young get another look.
Both of these guys were inconsistent last season, but they can only take the next step if given an opportunity. What happens if the rotation manages to stay healthy and these two continue to look the part at Norfolk? Do either Kremer or Bassitt find themselves with a short leash? If not, how long before the Orioles give Povich and/or Young the chance to make an impact out of the bullpen?
