Orioles pregame notes on Kremer, Henderson's reaction to All-Star voting and more

NEW YORK – Dean Kremer rejoined his Orioles teammates and made the trip to New York but currently remains on his injury rehab assignment.

Kremer pitched Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk and allowed two earned runs and five total in 3 2/3 innings, with four hits, one walk and three strikeouts. He threw 59 pitches, 37 for strikes.

Norfolk is in Lehigh Valley on Friday. Double-A Bowie is home against Altoona.

The Orioles will be in Houston.

“We’re actually still talking about that right now,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Whether he makes another start or joins us, we’re discussing.”

Hyde passed along that Kremer felt good during and after his start.

“Said he threw the ball well, also,” Hyde said. “I talked to him the next day. He got up to around 60 pitches. We’re kind of determining if we want him to make another start or not.”

Hyde didn’t have an update to share on pitchers Kyle Bradish and Danny Coulombe. Bradish is on the injured list with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Coulombe is on the IL with left elbow inflammation.

Asked about Coulombe, Hyde indicated that the club is close to providing more information.

The first update in All-Star Game voting revealed Gunnar Henderson leading American League shortstops and Adley Rutschman ranking first among the catchers.

Henderson has received 740,436, followed by 541,261 for the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr.  

“It’s really humbling and I’m very honored and blessed to be in that position,” Henderson said. “Yeah, just going to go out there and continue to play my game and just try to help my team win ballgames. And that’s the most important thing to me.”

Ryan Mountcastle is second to Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. among first basemen and Jordan Westburg is second to Cleveland’s José Ramirez among third basemen. Also, Jorge Mateo and Ryan O’Hearn are fourth among second basemen and designated hitters, respectively. Anthony Santander is fifth in outfield voting, Colton Cowser is seventh and Cedric Mullins is 11^th.

A pretty nice representation of Orioles, who sent four players to last year’s game in Seattle.

“It’s awesome that our fans vote a lot for our guys, and fans around the country, too, who recognize how well these guys have played and we have so many guys who deserve to go,” Hyde said.

“It’s great. Our players are fun to watch. We have a bunch of really good players who deserve to be there. I was really pleased to see how high our guys are in the voting.”

Said Henderson: “It’s just a testament to the guys we have here and that everybody just plays hard and plays their game and just goes out there and tries to help the team win, and stuff like that comes along with it. And I feel like that’s just the mindset we have, just to go out there and play hard baseball and whatever comes with it comes with it.”

Rutschman participated in the Home Run Derby last summer and hit 27 in the first round with his father, Randy, pitching to him. However, he didn’t make it past the White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr.

“That was a special moment, especially as a father, watching his dad,” Hyde said. “That was an amazing show. It was unbelievably entertaining, and for him to switch around the other side with his dad throwing, it was a heartwarming moment. Not only because of knowing him well and knowing his dad and how cool that must have been, but him showcasing how talented he is on national television was really cool.”

Henderson said he’d like to participate in the Derby if he’s invited, which seems likely since he ranks second in the majors with 22 homers.

“I feel like it would be cool to do,” he said. “I watched it growing up. I don’t know if that’s possible or in the future, but yeah, it would be cool to do.”

Hyde said it’s “totally up to” Henderson whether he accepts.

“I’ve been fortunate to be on some pretty good teams with guys that have been in the Home Run Derby and if they want to do it, that’s great. If not, I understand, also,” Hyde said.

“But it’s a cool moment for them, so we’ll see.”

Norfolk catcher Blake Hunt went on the seven-day injured list with a left groin strain.

Coby Mayo returns to Norfolk’s lineup tonight after completing his injury rehab assignment. The fractured rib is healed and he’s batting third and serving as designated hitter.

Catcher Connor Pavolony and pitcher Morgan McSweeney were transferred from Bowie to Norfolk. Infielder Noelberth Romero moved up from High-A Aberdeen to Bowie.

Aberdeen outfielder Reed Trimble was reinstated from the injured list. Pitcher Carter Baumler was transferred from Aberdeen to Delmarva.

For the Yankees

Anthony Volpe SS
Juan Soto RF
Aaron Judge CF
Alex Verdugo LF
Giancarlo Stanton DH
Ben Rice 1B
Gleyber Torres 2B
Austin Wells C
DJ LeMahieu 3B

Nestor Cortes LHP