-1745819772711.png){kind=logo}
NEW YORK – Dean Kremer made his final start of the season on Tuesday.
He might not be done pitching.
Interim manager Tony Mansolino said there’s a chance that Kremer is used out of the bullpen for Sunday’s finale. He’s pitched twice in relief out of 125 major league games, including seven bulk innings on June 12 against the Tigers.
“He’s been advocating to come out of the bullpen between starts from Day One, so yes, he’s advocating and we’ll see,” Mansolino said.
“There’s a day tomorrow, right? Isn’t tomorrow on turn for him? We’ll see how it goes. Depends if he’s pleasant to be around today or not.”
Kremer has worked 170 1/3 innings, 2 1/3 short of his career high set in 2023. That isn't the motivation, but it could be a perk.
Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup in back-to-back games of the series, but he’s healthy. Coby Mayo is the first baseman and Tyler O’Neill is the designated hitter.
“I think right now with kind of where we’re at … he’s not dealing with anything,” Mansolino said. “We’ve got T.O. in the lineup out there right now, hit a homer last night. And then we’ve committed to Coby Mayo here for the last two months. Through thick and thin, we want to kind of see what Coby has.
“In terms of the first base spot, we’ve got Coby, the DH spot you’ve got T.O. There wasn’t really a fit for him today, unfortunately. Every day with Mounty I’m trying to get him in there. We just weren’t able to do it today.”
Tomoyuki Sugano makes his final U.S. rookie start today, his 30th in the majors.
“It’s a guy that, he’s stayed active, he’s stayed healthy, he’s stayed in the rotation all year, he’s pitched on turn the whole the year,” Mansolino said. “Early in the year when we were struggling with starting pitching, he was our most consistent guy. He was kind of the bright light for us in a lot of ways those first couple months, and without him those first couple month, it could have gone really south without Tomo. And then obviously, he went through that little stretch there where he struggled, but he bounced back and rolled off six, seven good ones in a row, whatever it was.
“Here at the end of the year, he’s drawn some tough assignments in L.A., then Toronto, then two against New York, and it’s been a good year for Tomo. First year adjusting here, 35-year-old guy, we’re proud of what he’s done, and we’re hope he is proud of himself.”
Adley Rutschman caught last night and is out of today’s lineup. The only alternative would have been designated hitter.
Rutschman avoided the injured list in the majors until straining both obliques this summer. He’s appeared in only 89 games.
“Being injured is one of the worst things,” he said today. “More than anything, you just want to be out on the field being able to contribute, be around the guys, help the team. I think that’s definitely a priority going into the offseason for me. And we have great people around to help do that. I think that’s definitely something. But not the year we wanted, but I don’t think anyone has any doubts about what this team can do in the future.”
Being healthy didn’t bring out the best in Rutschman, who’s batting .223/.307/.370 with 16 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 361 plate appearances. His 1.9 bWAR is the lowest of his career.
“I think a lot of conversations to have with our hitting coaches, people around, and for me going into the offseason that’s going to be definitely the No. 1 thing that I’m going to talk about with them. Just trying to make the necessary adjustments to be able to move forward and obviously perform better,” he said.
Rutschman was getting on a roll after returning for the first time, with hits in 12 of 17 games, and 15 total, before straining his right oblique.
“I think when it comes to this season, part of the tough part, but also the good part is that the season’s long, so you kind of go through your ups and downs,” Rutschman said. “Obviously, I want to be healthy and play in every single game and whether it’s good or bad, I want to be out on the field with the guys. So getting injured is not fun. You appreciate being out there, especially when you’re injured, because you want to be on the field with this group of guys.”
The Orioles optioned left-hander Cade Povich to bring in an extra reliever, left-hander Carson Ragsdale, who was claimed on waivers two days ago.
Povich's season was done, so it makes sense to go with an available arm.
