MSB: Orioles Shuffle Pitching Staff as Dean Kremer Returns, Cameron Weston Recalled

The Baltimore Orioles made a flurry of roster moves Wednesday morning as the club continues to reshape its pitching staff entering the second half of the season. The headline move is the return of right-hander Dean Kremer, who has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list and is scheduled to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Chicago White Sox. The Orioles also recalled right-hander Cameron Weston, optioned pitchers Trey Gibson and Josh Walker to Triple-A Norfolk, and designated catcher Dom Keegan for assignment. The moves were expected following Kremer’s successful rehab assignment and create a fresh look for Baltimore’s pitching staff.

Dean Kremer Returns

Kremer’s return is the biggest development.

The veteran right-hander has been sidelined since April with a strained right quadriceps after making only two starts for Baltimore. After making a pair of rehab appearances with the Norfolk Tides and reporting no setbacks, the Orioles determined he was ready to rejoin the major league rotation. He will immediately slot back into the starting five.

Before the injury, Kremer struggled to establish himself after beginning the season in Triple-A following a surprising decision at the end of spring training. Now Baltimore hopes the 30-year-old can provide much-needed stability to a rotation that has dealt with numerous injuries throughout the first half.

Kremer’s rehab outings showed encouraging velocity and command, giving the Orioles confidence he can handle a full workload again. His return comes at an important time with the club trying to remain in the postseason race.

Cameron Weston Earns Another Opportunity

Right-hander Cameron Weston is back in the major leagues after another strong stretch with Triple-A Norfolk.

Weston has bounced between Baltimore and Norfolk throughout 2026, but every promotion has come after pitching well in the International League. The hard-throwing right-hander has continued to miss bats while improving his strike throwing, making him an attractive option for the Orioles bullpen.

His ability to work multiple innings gives manager Craig Albernaz another flexible arm, especially with the bullpen carrying a heavy workload over the past week.

The organization clearly believes Weston remains part of its long-term plans, and another strong showing could help him stick in Baltimore for an extended period.

Trey Gibson Heads Back to Norfolk

Trey Gibson’s latest stay in Baltimore was brief.

The rookie right-hander started Tuesday night’s game against the White Sox before becoming the roster casualty once Kremer was activated. Gibson has spent much of the season shuttling between Norfolk and Baltimore as one of the organization’s top depth starters.

Although the move is disappointing for Gibson, it is not necessarily a reflection of his future. The Orioles have consistently turned to him whenever another starter has gone down, and he figures to receive another opportunity later this season.

Returning to Norfolk allows Gibson to continue making regular starts rather than shifting into a relief role in Baltimore.

Josh Walker Optioned

Veteran left-hander Josh Walker also heads back to Triple-A.

Walker has filled a valuable role as a left-handed bullpen option this season, but roster flexibility ultimately worked against him. With Kremer returning and Weston providing another relief arm, Baltimore chose to keep bullpen depth available in Norfolk.

Walker remains one of the first pitchers likely to receive another call if Baltimore needs another left-handed reliever.

Dom Keegan Designated for Assignment

The Orioles also designated catcher Dom Keegan for assignment.

Keegan was acquired as organizational catching depth and spent most of his Orioles tenure in the minor leagues. With Adley Rutschman healthy and Samuel Basallo continuing to establish himself at the major league level, there simply wasn’t a clear path to playing time.

Baltimore now has seven days to trade Keegan, release him or outright him to the minor leagues if he clears waivers.

What These Moves Mean

These transactions show Baltimore’s priorities entering July.

Getting Kremer back strengthens a rotation that has been forced to rely heavily on young pitchers throughout the season. Weston adds another fresh bullpen arm, while Gibson and Walker provide experienced depth waiting in Norfolk.

If Kremer can return to the form he showed during previous seasons, the Orioles could receive one of their biggest internal additions without making a trade.

For a team hoping to stay in the American League playoff race, healthy starting pitching may prove more valuable than any deadline acquisition.

With Kremer back on the mound Wednesday, Baltimore hopes these roster moves provide the stability it has been searching for over the past two months.