The Baltimore Orioles made an unexpected roster decision on Saturday, optioning right-hander Dean Kremer to minor league camp.
Kremer, 30, has been a steady presence in Baltimore’s rotation over the past several seasons. While his surface-level results have fluctuated, he has routinely taken the ball every fifth day and logged meaningful innings for the Birds for multiple seasons.
Kremer’s spring performance ultimately played a role in the decision. Across 14.2 innings this spring, he posted a 6.14 ERA while allowing 18 hits and issuing six walks, good for a 1.64 WHIP.
Over parts of five major-league seasons, he owns a 4.43 ERA across 580+ innings, with a 1.31 WHIP and a 7.7 K/9. His most reliable attribute has been availability — he made at least 30 starts in both 2023 and 2024 — providing stability during the club’s transition from rebuilding to contending.
But even within that consistency, there have been indicators of a limited ceiling. Kremer has never posted a strikeout rate above 22 percent in a full season, and his career hard-hit rate has hovered around league average.
April has consistently been Kremer’s most difficult month at the big-league level as well. Over his career, he owns an ERA north of six in March/April, with opponents posting elevated batting averages and on-base percentages compared to any other point in the season.
There were talks of the Orioles implementing a six-man rotation, but now that has gone by the wayside, as Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Chris Bassitt, Shane Baz and Zach Eflin round out the rotation.
There is no question that Kremer will be summoned at some point this season, whether it be as a starter or as a bulk reliever. The fact that he still had a minor-league option, along with his rough spring, contributed to this decision.
The Orioles also have re-assigned right-handers Hans Crouse, Trey Gibson and Nestor German to minor-league camp. The spring training roster currently sits at 43 players.
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