Kremer lights up his rehab effort as Orioles gauge second step for both rotation candidates

The Baltimore Orioles took another step toward getting healthier arms into their rotation mix on Friday night, with two pitchers taking part in their second rehab starts as they work their way back from injury. The main storyline came from Dean Kremer, whose latest appearance in the minors was both efficient and dominant, offering a clear look at how quickly he has been able to ramp up his workload and command.

Kremer’s rehab start stood out on the stat sheet from start to finish. He logged 6.2 innings and allowed just two hits while posting a 0.00 earned-run mark. His control was equally sharp, as he walked one batter, struck out eight, and threw 79 pitches with 50 of them for strikes. That combination is the type of line Orioles decision-makers typically want to see at this stage, because it suggests a pitcher can hold velocity, command his pitch mix, and still execute deep into an outing.

The Orioles also received progress from Cade Povich, who made his own second rehab start. While Friday night’s release did not provide the same detailed pitching line for Povich in the preview information, the fact that he reached a second rehab appearance indicates he is moving through the recovery plan rather than stalling at an earlier checkpoint. For teams, the difference between a first and second rehab start often matters, because it can indicate whether the body is responding normally once a pitcher’s workload becomes more meaningful.

Baltimore’s rotation picture has been built around both performance and availability, and rehab starts are a direct bridge between the two. When a starter is unavailable, the organization has to lean on depth options, middle-inning replacements, or shorter stints that can increase total bullpen usage. Getting rotation-capable innings back on schedule can reduce the ripple effects that show up later in a season, especially as workloads accumulate and off-days become more valuable commodities.

Kremer’s outing, specifically, provides more than just reassurance. A line like 6.2 innings, two hits, and eight strikeouts typically points to the pitcher being able to sequence effectively, maintain posture through traffic, and win at-bats without leaning too heavily on one outcome. The 79-pitch count also suggests he has the durability to handle a realistic progression, though the Orioles will still have to decide how to scale the final step toward a potential major-league return.

For Povich, the core takeaway is upward movement. A second rehab start usually means the team believes the risk level is still manageable and that he can continue testing his recovery against actual hitters rather than simulated work. Whether the organization chooses to keep him on a similar timeline or adjust based on how he responds after the outing will be part of the next decision cycle.

What to watch next is simple but important: whether both pitchers translate their minor-league work into the kind of follow-up appearances teams use to finalize readiness. The Orioles will likely continue monitoring workload, pitch effectiveness, and overall health markers as they move toward the moment these rehabs become rotation innings in the majors.