Kremer named No. 2 starter (Urías scratched again from lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. – Dean Kremer will break camp next week as the No. 2 starter in the Orioles rotation, giving him the April 1 assignment in Boston.

Manager Brandon Hyde provided the information this afternoon but wasn’t ready to go further down the line. A few crumbs for the hungry media.

Kremer is starting Monday’s final exhibition game against the Cardinals in Sarasota, one day after Kyle Bradish faces the Phillies. However, Kremer is moving ahead of Bradish to begin the regular season.

Kyle Gibson is the Opening Day starter for the second time in his career. The club confirmed it this morning.

Kremer has allowed five runs in 14 innings this spring, all on solo home runs. He’s walked two batters and struck out nine.

The body of work in 2022 pretty much sealed Kremer’s spot on the staff. He made a career-high 22 appearances, including one out of the bullpen, and registered a 3.23 ERA in 125 1/3 innings.

Kremer tossed his first complete game and shutout on Sept. 23 against the Astros.

The bullpen also remains unsettled with Mychal Givens unable to pitch since March 16 due to a sore left knee. He’s made four appearances.

Givens threw on flat ground yesterday and Hyde said the veteran reliever is “improving but still a little bit questionable.”

“We’re hoping he’s going to be able to break with us,” Hyde said.

Hyde added that Givens likely needs to at least face hitters on a back field before he’s cleared to join the 26-man roster. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in an exhibition game.

“We’re not there yet,” Hyde warned.

Dillon Tate had a bullpen session today. He’s progressing from a right forearm strain but won’t be ready for Opening Day.

“Right on schedule,” Hyde said. “He’s had no setbacks, so that’s a positive.”

Ramón Urías is going to hit in the cage to test his right thumb, which he bruised yesterday while fielding a ground ball in batting practice. The Orioles removed him from the lineup but are starting him at second base tonight.

“Fortunately, yesterday it was just bruised, but today it feels better,” he said.

“I just stayed positive. I never felt like it was something more."

Anthony Santander is getting another start at first base as the Orioles explore their backup options. Hyde is comfortable moving him from the outfield.

“I like where he’s at,” Hyde said. “He took a lot of ground balls the second half of last year, never got him in a game. But that was something we talked about going into the offseason with him, might give him some exposure over there at first base this spring. The WBC kind of cut that a little short but we did some stuff prior to him leaving, he got into a game. He’s going to try to get into a couple games here before we leave.”

Relievers tonight behind Kremer include Keegan Akin, Joey Krehbiel, Mike Baumann and Logan Gillaspie.

For the Yankees
DJ LeMahieu 3B
Oswald Peraza SS
Oswaldo Cabrera 1B
Kyle Higashioka C
Isiah Kiner-Falefa CF
Rafael Ortega LF
Billy McKinney RF
Jesús Bastidas 2B
Jake Bauers DH

Yoendrys Gómez RHP

Update: Urías was scratched again tonight after trying to hit. Terrin Vavra replaces him at second base and bats seventh.