Orioles News: Early returns on Dean Kremer, Cade Povich, and Dylan Beavers' rehab assignments

The Baltimore Orioles have lost several players they were relying on to be regular contributors this season to injury. In the absence of these players, they've done their best to patch together their rotation and their outfield, but it's proven to be quite difficult. The good news is that help is on the way. In the past week, several Orioles who had been on the IL for weeks began minor league rehab assignments with the goal of rejoining the team in the next couple of weeks.

The Orioles need Dean Kremer to stabilize their rotation

Dean Kremer made his first rehab start for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on Sunday. He faced the Syracuse Mets and threw 66 pitches over 3.2 innings, allowing just two hits, two walks, and one run while striking out five. It was clear that he was easing back into form as he took a little off his fastball velocity, and he wasn't exactly pinpoint with his command, but overall, he looked solid. He got batters to chase outside the zone and created a good amount of swing and miss.

It'll be interesting to see how long the Orioles wait before calling up Kremer. Ryan Helsley only made two rehab appearances before his call-up, but he is a reliever who doesn't have to get built up as much, and based on his early results, that may have been a mistake. The natural move would be for Kremer to come up and replace Trey Gibson. Gibson has filled in admirably, considering that in a perfect world, he would still be developing in the minors, but Kremer would provide a much higher floor start to start.

Cade Povich's return could come with a role change

Cade Povich also made a rehab start on Sunday, although his was in Double-A with the Chesapeake Baysox. In his start, Povich pitched 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit along with no walks, no runs, and three strikeouts. Those stats pop a little more than Kremer's, but you have to remember it's against a lower level of competition. Still, it was good to see Povich look dominant at any level after struggling so much early in the season.

Povich's rehab will be worth watching because the injury he is recovering from is scarier than Kremer's hamstring strain, as elbow inflammation is often a precursor to more serious injuries. With Kremer, it's more of a question of when rather than if he'll be back, and with Povich, there should be real concern that he ends up having to be shut down again if his elbow acts up.

The other interesting thing with Povich is that there is not a ready-made spot for him in the current rotation. Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, and Trevor Rogers are locks to keep their spot and Brandon Young has pitched well enough that replacing him with Povich would be out of the question. If Kremer gets Gibson's spot when he returns, that leaves Povich out in the cold (Norfolk).

One way Povich could sneak onto the roster is if he is willing to come out of the bullpen. Young starters often don't want to become relievers because once you're in the pen, it can be hard to get out, but the Orioles really need lefty bullpen arms that can get lefties out, and if Povich was willing and able to slide into that role, he could be an immediate upgrade on their current options.

Dylan Beavers is going to need some time to get back into form

Dylan Beavers has now played three games for the Chesapeake Baysox and is yet to record a hit, although he does have four walks. Clearly, the injury he suffered at the beginning of May and the long layoff have affected him, and it could take a minute for Beavers to look like his old self. Which is a shame because Beavers was on fire when he hit the IL, slashing .462/.563/.769 in his last five games before the injury.

The Orioles could really use Dylan Beavers, as Tyler O'Neill has become unplayable, and Leody Taveras' hot start is beginning to fade away. Hopefully, everything clicks back into place with a couple more rehab starts, and he can rejoin the Orioles outfield soon.

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