MINNEAPOLIS—Ten days ago, the Orioles traded pitcher Dean Kremer to the Minnesota Twins. On Monday night, he’ll be starting against his old team.
“It will be fun to face Dean,” said Colton Cowser, who is batting eighth and playing center field. “He probably knows our lineup pretty well, and we know him as a pitcher pretty well, so it’ll probably be one of those games where we have a chess match.”
Kremer was the first of the Orioles to be traded. Three days later, catcher Adley Rutschman, outfielder Taylor Ward and reliever Tyler Wells were dealt.
“Ten days ago feels like it was about a month ago at this point,” Cowser said.
Manager Craig Albernaz said it does feel like a long time ago.
“[But] now that we’re here, it feels like it was yesterday,” Albernaz said. “It’s going to be fun to see Dean. It’s going to be fun, as well.”
This will be Kremer’s second start with Minnesota. He allowed one run on three hits in five innings at Kansas City on August 5th.
“Dean already made some changes,” Albernaz said. “Our guys are on to that, so you’ve got to make sure you do your prep, and you can’t assume anything.”
Injury update
Albernaz said that utility player Blaze Alexander, who’s on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left hand, is doing well. Catcher Samuel Basallo, who’s on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation, took 50 swings in the cage on Sunday. After two days of throwing, he didn’t throw.
Sanders returns
Cam Sanders’ addition temporarily gives the Orioles a nine-man bullpen. He pitched twice for them on July 17th and 18th at Houston, retired each of the five batters he faced while picking up a save and a win.
“I thought it was a good thing,” Sanders said. “I haven’t really gotten to throw in many situations like that in the big leagues. It was good to get my feet wet and go out and perform.”
Immediately after his two strong appearances, Sanders was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
“I was a little surprised, but it’s a part of the game,” Sanders said. “The team has to do what it has to do to win. I’m all about being in a winning culture, so it didn’t bother me that much.”
Orioles-Twins lineups:
Orioles
Gunnar Henderson-SS
Pete Alonso-1B
Jackson Holliday-2B
Tyler O’Neill-RF
Dylan Beavers-LF
Leody Taveras-RF
Coby Mayo-3B
Colton Cowser-CF
Carlos Narváez-C
Trevor Rogers-LHP
Twins
Austin Martin-LF
Ryan Jeffers-C
Royce Lewis-2B
Josh Bell-DH
Luke Keaschall-RF
Brooks Lee-3B
Kaelen Culpepper-SS
Victor Caratini-1B
Ryan Kreidler-CF
Dean Kremer-RHP
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