The Orioles made their first roster move of the day with Dean Kremer replacing Cade Povich, and a second switch is in the works.

Ryan Mountcastle is expected to go on the injured list before first pitch after an MRI on Sunday revealed a broken fourth metacarpal in his left foot. The Orioles have infielder Weston Wilson on the taxi squad, which makes him the likely replacement.

Manager Craig Albernaz said “all those factors are in play” when asked whether Mountcastle would be assigned to the 10-day or 60-day IL.

“The official transaction has not been established yet,” Albernaz said.

Albernaz also said he hasn’t heard anything about a possible surgery for Mountcastle, who suffered the break on Saturday while running out a double.

Wilson has appeared in 100 games with the Phillies over the past three seasons. He was 8-for-41 (.195) with a double and two home runs in 12 games with Triple-A Norfolk.

“He’s just a really good baseball player,” Albernaz said. “I think that’s kind of lost now, the state of the minor leagues, the contraction. You see a lot of young guys that are pushing through and up in the big leagues, but Wilson’s a little bit of a throwback where he’s just a grinder baseball player. Plays all over the field, gives a great at-bat, sneaky athletic, can run. He’s an average fielder if not an above-average fielder at all of them. In certain spots he’s a tick above average.

“He just brings a lot to the table as far as just being a baseball player and just filling in and  plugging in spots for our guys. But also, he’s a real weapon against left-handed pitching, as well.”

Catcher Sam Huff also is on the taxi squad while Maverick Handley remains on the active roster. Samuel Basallo is catching for the third day in a row.

Jackson Holliday won’t play for the Orioles this week, according to Albernaz, but he’s in Baltimore today. He worked out at second base and took batting practice.

Holliday’s rehab assignment concludes on Wednesday. He’s appeared in 11 games with Norfolk and gone 7-for-42 (.167) with two doubles and a .453 OPS.

Holliday told The Virginian-Pilot that he had some lingering soreness in his right hand after February’s surgery to remove a broken hamate bone.

The Orioles optioned Povich today rather than move him to the bullpen.

“We thought about it for sure, but I think it’s … what he’s proven to do at this level, especially this year as a starting pitcher, we just need the starting pitching depth,” Albernaz said. “But that’s something that is always constant (to) be talked about and reevaluated, but right now his best bet to help us is to be a starter.”

Kremer is making his first Orioles start since they optioned him unexpectedly at the end of camp.

“He’s extremely excited,” Albernaz said. “When you hear that news from spring training, it was a big blow for him, but he handled it like a pro, went down to Triple-A, got his work in and he’s ready for this moment. So he’s very excited to take the ball for us and be in our rotation.”

Jeremiah Jackson stays at second base tonight against the Diamondbacks. Blaze Alexander starts at third against his former team.

Leody Taveras is in center field and Colton Cowser is in right. Dylan Beavers is the designated hitter.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Taylor Ward LF
Pete Alonso 1B
Samuel Basallo C
Dylan Beavers DH
Leody Taveras CF
Colton Cowser RF
Jeremiah Jackson 2B
Blaze Alexander 3B

Dean Kremer RHP

Update: The Orioles selected Wilson’s contract and placed Mountcastle on the 60-day IL with a left foot fracture. They also moved reliever Yaramil Hiraldo to the 60-day IL to make room for infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who was acquired from the Reds for cash considerations.

There had to be one more surprise.

Encarnacion-Strand, 26, was designated for assignment last week. He was the heir apparent at first base after Joey Votto’s Reds career ended and he was the starter in 2024 before breaking his wrist in May.

Back inflammation sent him back to the IL last year and he was optioned in July while struggling at the plate.

He’s a career .233/.275/.404 hitter in 128 games over three seasons. He’s played first and third base.

MLB Pipeline ranked Encarnacion-Strand as the Reds’ No. 7 prospect in 2023.