Notes on Orioles' rotation, Witt and Bemboom

One of the Orioles’ post-break decisions has been made and revealed.

It took less than 24 hours after the last out of the All-Star Game.

The rotation is set for the weekend series against the Marlins at Camden Yards, with some of the anticipated rearranging. Dean Kremer starts Friday night, followed by Kyle Gibson Saturday night and Kyle Bradish Sunday afternoon.

The Marlins are expected to start Sandy Alcantara and Braxton Garrett in the first two games, with Sunday TBA.

The break allowed manager Brandon Hyde to push back Tyler Wells, who is emerging as the staff ace but has thrown 104 2/3 innings, which is one more than his 2022 total.

Wells started Saturday afternoon in Minnesota. Kremer’s last appearance was July 5 in New York, Gibson pitched Sunday and Bradish started July 6.

A rotation scramble, and everybody gets a reset.

Kremer is in line to make his first career appearance against the Dodgers, who drafted him in the 14^th round in 2016. He’s the only player remaining from the 2018 Manny Machado trade.

Wells will face the Dodgers, leaving left-hander Cole Irvin as the other starter if the Orioles don’t tamper.

Irvin opened the Twins series at Target Field and held them to one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings, his longest and best start with the Orioles. He’s surrendered only two runs in his last two outings over 11 1/3 innings.

The announcement of the weekend starters confirmed that Grayson Rodriguez isn’t rejoining the Orioles for the Marlins series, though they're down to a 12-man pitching staff after reinstating Ryan Mountcastle from the injured list. A reliever could be summoned, with the club left to make a difficult cut among position players.

* Less than 24 hours after the Orioles selected University of Texas pitcher Tanner Witt in the 18^th round, he tweeted a photo of himself wearing his Longhorns uniform with the message “Unfinished business.” He added an emoji of a hand making the hook ‘em horns symbol.

Seems like a subtle hint that Witt is staying in school, but you never know until it's official.

Witt was a longshot to sign with the Orioles, a first-round talent who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022. Baseball America ranked him as the No. 56 prospect and MLB Pipeline had him 76^th.

There's logic attached to reentering the draft with more distance between himself and the elbow procedure. And his statistics figure to improve. But it was worth a try.

Witt, the son of former Blue Jays first-round pick Kevin Witt, made six starts this year and surrendered 13 runs with eight walks in 10 2/3 innings. He pitched in the Cape Cod League and allowed six runs in five innings.

Perhaps the Orioles can make another run at him next year if he's hooked to the Texas rotation.

* Catcher Anthony Bemboom cleared outright waivers again yesterday and accepted his assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

Bemboom is familiar with the dance.

The Orioles designated Bemboom for assignment on July 5 during a flurry of moves, the biggest being the selection of outfielder Colton Cowser’s contract from Norfolk. Chris Vallimont also was designated, and later traded to the Guardians for cash considerations.