BALTIMORE -- A pair of pitchers who could soon serve as rotation reinforcements for the Orioles each took another step forward in their recovery on Friday night -- and one did so with quite an impressive outing.
Dean Kremer made his second rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 79-pitch, 50-strike outing against Durham. The 30-year-old right-hander gave up two hits and one walk while recording eight strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Cade Povich made the second start of his rehab assignment for Double-A Chesapeake and tossed 3 2/3 innings vs. Harrisburg. The 26-year-old left-hander allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts during a 66-pitch, 44-strike appearance.
Both starters began their rehab assignments this past Sunday. Kremer (right quad strain) previously threw 3 2/3 innings of one-run ball in a 66-pitch start for Norfolk at Syracuse, while Povich (left elbow inflammation) tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball vs. Richmond.
It seems likely that Kremer will be ready to return first, as he had two sessions of live batting practice prior to his rehab assignment. When he is reinstated, he will probably take the rotation spot of right-hander Trey Gibson (Baltimore’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline), who could be optioned to Triple-A at that point.
Kremer is also capable of giving the O’s rotation a significant boost. He made only two big league starts before going on the injured list, posting a 4.09 ERA with 16 strikeouts and only two walks over 11 innings.
There may not be room for Povich, unless the Orioles opt to go with a six-man rotation (or put the southpaw in their bullpen). Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and Brandon Young are secure in the top four spots. Baltimore is also missing right-hander Chris Bassitt (lower back tightness), who is not yet nearing a rehab assignment.