Dean Kremer completed a live bullpen practice session today in Sarasota as he works toward a return from a strained right quadriceps muscle.

Kremer had two ups and threw 35 pitches. He also did some fielding drills to test the leg.

“It went well,” said manager Craig Albernaz. “He’s checking the boxes right now, which is great.”

Kremer has made two starts for the Orioles, the last on April 18.

Adley Rutschman is getting his first at-bats tonight since Sunday’s game in Toronto. He hasn’t been available due to tightness in his left hamstring after going 9-for-25 with seven RBIs this month.

Five of those RBIs came on Friday, when Rutschman went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a home run. He got within a triple of the cycle.

“Yesterday, obviously the rain cut his running short, and today he’s good to go,” said Albernaz, who’s using Rutschman as the designated hitter.

Samuel Basallo is catching in his return to the lineup. He pinch-hit and moved behind the plate on Monday and Tuesday while dealing with some soreness in his left wrist.

“Basallo’s been looking great,” Albernaz said. “Great few days of great work and stuff. We’re excited to have both our catchers in the lineup.”

Ryan Helsley will pitch again for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday after today’s scoreless inning in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Helsley allowed a hit and struck out three batters.

The next box to check will be back-to-back outings before the Orioles deem him ready for reinstatement.

Tonight’s lineup again has Colton Cowser in center and Leody Taveras in right. They’ve flip-flopped those positions three times since Cowser was in right and Taveras in center on Saturday.

“I like Colton anywhere in the outfield. Same thing with Leody,” Albernaz said.

“We’re lucky to have like two really good defenders in the outfield and being able to mix and match how it goes. It’s a lot to ask for guys to play center field every day, and the ability to have like two center fielders out in center and right and being able to interchange them, it’s a great problem to have. And being able to mix and match them is awesome.

“With Colton in particular, he’s an elite defender and he can go get it, and he can throw, as well.”

Blaze Alexander celebrates his 27th birthday today. His .366 average since May 1 is third highest in the majors in a minimum 75 at-bats.

In his last 13 games at Camden Yards, Alexander is batting .447/.500/.632 (17-for-38) with four doubles, a homer and 12 RBIs.

Tommy Pham hit his fourth home run today, connecting off former Oriole Bruce Zimmermann, in Game 2 of Norfolk’s doubleheader against Memphis. Pham’s minor league deal includes an opt-out clause on Friday.

Pham is batting .197 with a .696 OPS in 16 games with the Tides. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and strikeout in Game 1.

Dietrich Enns started and allowed five runs and four hits with four walks and a wild pitch in two-thirds of an inning.

Keagan Gilles rejoined Double-A Chesapeake from his injury rehab assignment.