The removal again of rookie Dean Kremer from the rotation and active roster this afternoon leaves Orioles manager Brandon Hyde contemplating a replacement with no days off on the schedule until Thursday. "The decision is pending," Hyde said on his media Zoom call. Alexander Wells is available out of the bullpen for tonight's game against the Blue Jays, and the Australian-born left-hander could start Tuesday in Houston. The Orioles needed fresh arms in relief and Wells and Konner Wade, who...

The minor soreness in Anthony Santander's side is beginning to feel like the slight tweak of DJ Stewart's hamstring. As the late Joe Strauss used to tell me after we joined The Baltimore Sun baseball beat in 1997, never underwrite or downplay an injury. Of course, that also leads to overwriting an actual day-to-day situation, but it's the risk you take. Stewart won't be ready for opening day because he hasn't played since March 5 and accumulated only eight at-bats. We're just waiting for...

The rotation names and order are done. Now, we find out how the Orioles plan on monitoring their pitchers' innings with the season stretching back to 162 games. Dean Kremer goes to the end of the line as the youngest member at 25, providing a peek into the club's strategy. Bruce Zimmermann is a year older and tabbed as the No. 3 starter. He took the mound first for today's exhibition finale against the Rays and surrendered three home runs over 4 1/3 innings in an 8-3 loss to the Rays at Ed...

The utility competition in the Orioles' summer training camp no longer includes Richie Martin, who's been lost in an unexpected manner. Martin underwent X-rays yesterday afternoon that revealed a fractured bone in his right wrist, an injury that occurred after he collided with first baseman Chris Davis while diving back into the bag during Friday night's intrasquad game. The former Rule 5 pick held his left hand while walking off the field, the discomfort caused by a torn fingernail and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Hunter Harvey is making his exhibition debut today with the Orioles hosting the Rays. Harvey is recovered from his illness and threw a simulated game to pass his final test. Pat Valaika is playing shortstop today and Andrew Velazquez is the second baseman. Martin Cervenka is the designated hitter. Chris Davis is batting third and playing first base and Renato Núñez is getting another start at third base. Chance Sisco is catching Asher Wojciechowski. Available...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have completed their second day of workouts, with two players still unable to participate. Pitcher Brady Rodgers was supposed to throw in the bullpen with the second group, but he's being held back due to soreness in his right arm. Pedro Severino hasn't caught due to an illness. Severino arrived in camp yesterday wearing a mask. But not the kind he's going to use when he's behind the plate. Alex Cobb threw with the first group and manager Brandon Hyde remains...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The workout held today for Orioles outfielder DJ Stewart looked simple in nature. He did some light running on the dirt cart path along one of the practice fields, increasing his speed and intensity as the minutes passed. For a player coming off ankle surgery in October and unwilling to surrender the hope of being ready for opening day, each step taken by Stewart is an important achievement. Stewart, the former first-round draft pick out of Florida State University, underwent a...

The Orioles are keeping pitcher Branden Kline and super-utility player Stevie Wilkerson in the organization. Kline and Wilkerson cleared waivers and have been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk after the club designated them for assignment last week. Wilkerson had the give his approval based on a previous DFA. The list of camp invites has grown to 66 players, with left-hander Wade LeBlanc also a recent inclusion. Kline, a Frederick native and second-round pick out of the University of Virginia in...

Will reliever Travis Lakins break camp with the Orioles in late March, be optioned to the minors, be designated for assignment, clear waivers and stay in the organization or disappear? Those are the choices. How you rank them in order is entirely up to you. Lakins is on the 40-man roster after the Orioles claimed him off waivers Friday from the Cubs and designated utility player Stevie Wilkerson for assignment. He can be viewed now as bullpen depth and a pitcher with a shot at making the club...

As the Orioles bring in another bullpen candidate in former Red Sox prospect Travis Lakins, they keep holding onto a reliever who wears the trade chip label as if it's sewn onto his uniform jersey. Mychal Givens hears the description during the July deadline, the Winter Meetings and the ensuing weeks that lead into spring training. He offers a shrug and continues to ignore it. Givens has become a veteran in the majors and at avoiding distractions and the stress that accompanies them. "I've...

The Orioles tossed another name into their bullpen competition today, at the expense of a super-utility player whose popularity soared last season. Stevie Wilkerson has been designated for assignment to make room for Travis Lakins, a 25-year-old right-hander claimed off waivers from the Cubs. The team made the announcement this afternoon. Wilkerson, 28, also was designated for assignment last winter, but had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on April 22 and appeared in 117 games. He...