Kremer unable to throw due to oblique strain

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dean Kremer, the Orioles right-hander who led the minors in strikeouts last summer, is unable to work out in camp due to a strained left oblique.

Kremer sustained the injury two weeks ago while working out at home and expects to be out for two more weeks.

"I've got a slow recovery coming back, but I should be back in a couple of weeks," said Kremer, 23, who was obtained from the Dodgers in the Manny Machado trade.

"I'm obviously not happy that it happened, but happy that it happened early. That way, I can still be relevant in camp."

Kremer struck out 178 batters in 131 1/3 innings, including 53 over 45 1/3 with Double-A Bowie following the trade. He wasn't expected to break camp with the team, though two spots remain unoccupied.

The next two weeks likely will be spent wearing street clothes, watching the workouts and making stops in the trainers' room.

"Just rehab, recovery, waiting for the inflammation to go away," he said. "Get myself to be able to build back up."

Pitcher Gregory Infante is missing from camp due to an illness that's keeping him in Venezuela, according to manager Brandon Hyde.

Infante, 31, signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in January after making 10 relief appearances with the White Sox last year and allowing eight runs and 12 hits with eight walks in nine innings.

"He has an illness that he has to stay back for," Hyde said, "and as soon as we can get clearance to get him over here, he's going to be welcomed over here and have the care that he needs over here."

Hyde didn't know how long Infante has been in his present condition.

Fourteen pitchers threw in the bullpen today: Alex Cobb, Pedro Araujo, Yefry Ramírez, Mike Wright Jr. and Zach Pop in the first group; Mychal Givens, Miguel Castro, Josh Lucas and Bo Schultz in the second group and left-handers John Means, Paul Fry, Chris Lee, Josh Rogers and Donnie Hart in the third.

Position players who reported early, including Mark Trumbo and Trey Mancini, hit on the stadium field.