Mountcastle reinstated from injured list, Jiménez optioned, and notes on tonight's game

NEW YORK – First baseman Ryan Mountcastle is back with the Orioles.

Mountcastle was reinstated from his injury rehab assignment for tonight’s series opener against the Yankees in the Bronx. The Orioles optioned Eloy Jiménez to Triple-A Norfolk to create space on the active roster.

Closer Craig Kimbrel cleared waivers and was released.

Mountcastle went 1-for-11 with six strikeouts in three games with Norfolk. He hasn’t played for the Orioles since spraining his left wrist on Aug. 22.

Ryan O’Hearn and Emmanuel Rivera have gotten most of the starts at first base.

The Orioles keep getting healthier with infielders Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías returning on Sunday after relievers Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe.

Jiménez had to agree to an optional assignment based on service time. He isn’t eligible for the Wild Card round.

Going 1-for-24 this month as a designated hitter and pinch-hitter hurt Jiménez’s chances of staying. He’s likely done with the Orioles, who aren’t expected to pick up his $16.5 million option for 2025. The contract includes a $3 million buyout.

Kimbrel was designated for assignment on Wednesday.

The Orioles can clinch the first Wild Card with a win tonight and a loss by the Twins or Royals. They can clinch the season series against the Yankees with one more victory, claiming two straight for only the fifth time in club history.

Dean Kremer faced the Yankees twice at Camden Yards this season and allowed four runs in 11 2/3 innings. He’s made three career starts at Yankee Stadium and allowed five earned runs with 22 strikeouts in 15 innings.

The Orioles are 5-0 against the Yankees in Kremer’s starts dating back to last season. The club record is nine straight wins with Dave McNally pitching from 1965-67, per STATS.

Aaron Judge is 4-for-13 with three home runs against Kremer. Alex Verdugo is 7-for-22 with two doubles and two home runs. Giancarlo Stanton is 5-for-16.

Anthony Rizzo is 1-for-13, and Anthony Volpe is 1-for-10.

Kremer has posted a 3.98 ERA in 11 starts in the second half.

Judge leads the majors with 55 home runs. Anthony Santander is third in the majors and second in the American League with 43. According to STATS, the only other time that a Yankee and Oriole have finished 1-2 in AL home runs was 1976 with Craig Nettles (32) and Reggie Jackson (tied for second with 27).

Gunnar Henderson needs three more extra-base hits to pass Cal Ripken Jr. for most by an Oriole in a season at age 23 or younger.

The Orioles scored 26 runs in their three-game series in New York in June, the most allowed by the Yankees in any series this season. Ripken totaled 76 in 1983.

Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt has a 2.37 ERA and 1.171 WHIP in 14 starts. He’s surrendered three earned runs in three September starts over 15 1/3 innings after missing three months with a right lat strain.

Schmidt faced the Orioles on April 29 in Baltimore and allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings. Gunnar Henderson hit a leadoff homer. Schmidt has made 10 career appearances (five starts) against the Orioles and posted a 3.86 ERA in 32 2/3 innings.

Henderson is 4-for-13 with two doubles and a homer against Schmidt. O’Hearn is 3-for-10 with two doubles.

The Yankees clinch the division with a win tonight.