Kremer becomes 3rd Orioles starter on IL, as pitching depth tested

CHICAGO -- The Orioles had good fortune in 2023, largely staying healthy en route to a 101-win season and AL East title. Baltimore is off to another strong start in 2024, but this time, its pitching depth is being tested early,

Dean Kremer landed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right triceps strain, becoming the third Orioles starting pitcher to go on the shelf. The move came one day after John Means went on the 15-day IL with a left forearm strain.

Starter Tyler Wells has been on the IL since last month with right elbow inflammation.

“You’ve got to be able to make adjustments and deal with some adversity,” manager Brandon Hyde said before Friday’s game against the White Sox. “Pitching hiccups are going to happen, and injuries are going to happen.

“That's why you hopefully create as much depth as you possibly can on your 40-man roster or in Triple-A. We've had to tap into it so far this year. I'm sure we’re going to have to continue to tap into it. More things are going to happen.”

Kremer informed the team of some soreness in his triceps after the fourth inning Monday, during his start against the Cardinals. Hyde said it’s why Kremer did not take the mound for the fifth inning. The right-hander, who entered that outing with a 3.72 ERA through eight starts, allowed five runs and six hits against St. Louis.

“​​We were hoping he’d show some improvement since then, and it's still kind of lingering,” Hyde said. “We want to use some caution and put him on the IL, and [I’m] hoping it's not going to be very long.”

Hyde said the hope is Kremer’s situation is similar to what Grayson Rodriguez experienced last month. Rodriguez went on the 15-day IL on April 30 with right shoulder inflammation and returned a little more than two weeks later, making a start on May 18.

Means, on the other hand, underwent testing in Baltimore on Thursday and is still being evaluated, according to Hyde, who noted the lefty is going for a second opinion. The Orioles manager said Thursday the issue is in Means’ elbow area.

Means underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2022 and returned last September. He made four starts, but he did not pitch in the postseason due to a flare-up in his elbow, and he began this season on the IL with a left forearm strain.

Kremer was lined up to start Saturday in Chicago. Hyde was not ready to name a starter before Friday’s game, but the Orioles will need to lean on their depth for at least the next couple of turns through the rotation.

Cole Irvin has made nine appearances this season, including seven starts, and has a 3.15 ERA in 45 2/3 innings. Albert Suárez has a 1.78 ERA in 10 appearances, including three starts. He was selected from Triple-A Norfolk when Wells went on the IL.

“The last couple of years, we were really fortunate, and we stayed as healthy as you possibly could,” Hyde said. “Give a lot of credit to a lot of people for that. These things are going to happen, so it’s a little bit of next guy up. I think our guys are dealing with it fine.”