Orioles waiting on Cano; Gibson optioned, Weston selected, Kjerstad reinstated and optioned; O’s-Blue Jays lineups

BALTIMORE—Orioles reliever Yennier Cano, who left Wednesday night’s game against Tampa Bay because of right hamstring discomfort, is being evaluated. The 32-year-old right-hander had allowed the first three Tampa Bay hitters to reach with hits in the eighth, although one reached because Cano didn’t cover first base on a ground ball to the right side.

“He’s getting looked at with the imaging by our doctors,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “It seems encouraging, kind of in a holding pattern. We’ll see what our doctors say.”

The Orioles optioned right-hander Trey Gibson, who allowed a run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings on Tuesday night, to Triple-A Norfolk and selected right-hander Cameron Weston from Norfolk.

Weston, who was the Orioles’ eighth-round draft pick in 2022, is 0-1 with a 6.26 ERA in 11 games, seven starts at Norfolk. He struck out 40 and walked 19 in 27 1/3 innings.

“I enjoyed watching him pitch in spring training,” Albernaz said. “Kind of a funky look from the right, a little lower slot. He can spin it really well. The track record, not this year, but previously was a little erratic, but the strike quality has been better, and he’s been tough on righties just because of his arm slot and his fastball, sinker and the sweeper. I’m just pumped that he’s here. I’m excited for him.”

Weston threw five scoreless innings in spring training, allowing two hits.

Outfielder/designated hitter Heston Kjerstad, who’d been on the 60-day injured list with a strained right hamstring, has been reinstated and optioned to Norfolk.

Right-hander Albert Suárez has elected free agency after passing through waivers and refusing an outright assignment to Norfolk.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster is full.

Kremer update

Starting pitcher Dean Kremer has been on the 15-day injured list with a strained right quadriceps muscle since April 20^th. Kremer was with the team last week in St. Petersburg when they played Tampa Bay.

“He’s making progress,” Albernaz said. “I hope we get to see him at some point … Right now, Dean is trending in the right direction.”

What’s going on in the minor leagues?

Triple-A Norfolk swept a doubleheader from Durham. In the completion of the first game, Yaqui Rivera and Nestor German combined on a one-hitter in a 3-0 win. German allowed one hit in six scoreless innings. Creed Willems hit a three-run home run.

In the second game, Sam Huff and Willy Vasquez hit two-run home runs in a 7-5 win.

Right-handed reliever Cameron Foster was removed from the second game with right shoulder discomfort.

Right-handed starter Levi Wells had core muscle surgery by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. The Orioles say the surgery was successful.

Stiven Martinez homered and drove in four runs in Single-A Delmarva’s 11-9 loss to Fredericksburg.

Orioles-Blue Jays lineups

Orioles

Taylor Ward-DH

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Adley Rutschman-C

Pete Alonso-1B

Coby Mayo-3B

Leody Taveras-CF

Tyler O’Neill-RF

Jackson Holliday-2B

Blaze Alexander-LF

Chris Bassitt-RHP

Blue Jays

George Springer-DH

Nathan Lukes-LF

Vladimir Guerrero Jr-1B

Daulton Varsho-CF

Kazuma Okamoto-3B

Jesús Sánchez-RF

Ernie Clement-1B

Andrés Giménez-Ss

Brandon Valenzuela-C

Patrick Corbin-LHP

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