Right-hander Dean Kremer, who led the Baltimore Orioles in wins and innings in 2025, will not begin the season in the major leagues after he was optioned to minor-league camp on Saturday.
Kremer, 30, will likely head to the organization’s Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk following a spring in which he posted a 5.00 ERA in three Grapefruit League starts.
A notorious slow starter during his six-year major league career, Kremer has a 6.24 career ERA in March and April, including a 7.04 ERA over six March/April starts last season. Despite the annual early struggles, it marks the first time he has been optioned since Sept. 12, 2021.
Barring an injury to a pitcher on the Orioles’ roster, the earliest Kremer can be recalled is April 9.
Baltimore’s rotation to start the season shapes up to be left-hander Trevor Rogers slated for Opening Day, followed by right-handers Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin.
Eflin had back surgery in August, but he limited a talented Yankees lineup to one hit while striking out seven in 5 1/3 scoreless innings Friday night.
Kremer joins Brandon Young and Cade Povich in the minors after they were optioned earlier this spring. The trio made a combined 61 starts for Baltimore last season.
Over six seasons with Baltimore, Kremer is 41-40 with a 4.26 ERA in 126 appearances (123 starts), notching 578 strikeouts, 222 walks and a 1.291 WHIP in 671 2/3 innings.
