Kremer's return to mound leads to more questions

The Orioles didn’t wait long this season to create some roster and injury intrigue, to build speculation and curiosity within the media until further details became available.

Remember the third game at Tropicana Field?

Come on, it wasn’t that long ago.

The club hadn’t confirmed its fifth starter, who became Spenser Watkins. Dean Kremer began to warm in the visiting bullpen, eliminating him from the race.

And then, he walked to the dugout. An unusual move, since relievers usually go from the ‘pen to the mound.

Kremer didn’t pitch, and manager Brandon Hyde revealed that the right-hander strained his left oblique. It wasn’t a side session before his start.

There’s no such animal as day-to-day with an oblique injury. Kremer was going to be gone for a while. And there’s no way to jump back into major league competition without an injury rehab assignment, which begins tonight at Double-A Bowie.

It also brings us closer to more intrigue involving Kremer. As in, what are the team’s plans for him after he’s done with his assignment.

Is he made a starter at Triple-A Norfolk or put back in a long relief role with the Orioles? Or could he join their rotation?

Those are the three choices unless he’s a long reliever in the minors. That would be four. But let’s assume that he’s in the rotation if he joins the Tides.

“It’s just a progression,” Hyde said. “He’s got a certain amount of starts in Double-A, and then if things go well, they reevaluate in Triple-A. But it’s going to take a while.

“We’re building him up for multiple innings. I don’t know if it’s going to be 100 pitches. It’s going to take a while, but I think we’ll start with three-four innings and go from there.”

So, he will be equipped to start or relieve and the team will make the call later.

There’s also the question of how the Orioles create room for Kremer if he’s on their roster.

They’re carrying 14 pitchers again, but we know how often the ratio can change, as it did yesterday with infielder Rylan Bannon optioned. We also know they have a day-night doubleheader in Boston on May 28.  

The rotation can be tweaked but not overhauled. The Orioles aren’t removing Jordan Lyles, Tyler Wells, Bruce Zimmermann or Kyle Bradish. The only potential swap would have to involve Watkins unless there’s an injury.

The bullpen has been a major surprise over the first two months and also is primarily set. Travis Lakins Sr. was optioned but stayed a while as the 27^th man in a doubleheader and Jorge López’s replacement after the right-hander went on the bereavement list. He’s back at Norfolk.

Denyi Reyes had his contract selected and was optioned two days later to make room for outfielder Ryan McKenna, who arrived while Austin Hays was day-to-day with lacerations on his left hand.

Left-hander Logan Allen is out of options and the Orioles designated him for assignment yesterday while selecting southpaw Nick Vespi’s contract from Norfolk. That’s the one spot where Vespi could fit.

Logan Gillaspie became the 14^th pitcher on the staff yesterday and could be the most vulnerable if the club goes back to 13, unless his performance elevates his status.

The two scoreless innings last night and 97 mph fastball didn’t hurt his cause in the least. Hyde really likes his arm.

Ryan Mountcastle was the 36^th overall pick in the 2015 draft. The Orioles chose Vespi in the 18^th round. Guess which one made it to the majors first.

“He’s a guy who pounds the zone, he’s got good stuff,” Mountcastle said.

“I played with him in rookie ball, we were good friends in rookie ball, and then we didn’t play with each other much until minor league spring training and all that, but we’re good friends and I’m super happy for the guy and he definitely deserves it. I haven’t seen him pitch much the last couple years, but I’ve heard good things, so I’m excited for him.”

Got to respect a guy who kept plugging away in the minors, putting up a 2.91 ERA in seven seasons and still failing to get on the 40-man roster until yesterday.

“This day is amazing,” Vespi said. “I’ve been working on this day since 2015 and so I’m excited it’s finally here.”

“He’s gone through the grind, that’s for sure,” Mountcastle said, “and hopefully he does well and stays up here.”

If it depended only on the hair, he’d already be a candidate for the Orioles Hall of Fame.

“He’s got Show hair,” Mountcastle said.

Maybe fans will be able to purchase wigs some day at the Team Store to go with their home run chains.