Orioles add Kremer to player pool and option Velázquez

Another Orioles prospect is taking a dip in the gamer pool.

The team announced today that right-hander Dean Kremer has been put into the 60-man pool which is headed to the alternate training site in Bowie.

Pitcher Hector Velázquez, seen as a long relief prospect when summer training camp began, has been optioned to the alternative site. He’s no longer in the operating for a bullpen role.

Also, infielder Richie Martin has been located on the 60-day injured list and taken off the ball player pool list. He’ll undergo surgery on Wednesday to correct a broken bone in his right wrist.

The 40-man roster is right down to 37 players.

MLB.com ranks Kremer, 24, as the No. 9 prospect in the business and Baseball America places him 11th. He posted a 2.98 ERA and 1.228 WHIP keep going summer with 87 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings at Double-A Bowie and an 8.84 Age and 1.758 WHIP with 21 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings with Triple-A Norfolk.

The expectation is that Kremer will reach the majors later this summer. He would have been in Norfolk’s rotation in April, however the minor category season was canceled.

The Orioles curently have added catcher Adley Rutschman, outfielder/infielder Ryan Mountcastle, and pitchers Keegan Akin, Michael Baumann and Isaac Mattson to the pool. The group will move to the Bowie site.

Left-hander DL Hall is a candidate for the pool.

Velázquez is the first cut since players gathered at Camden Yards. He allowed two runs yesterday evening in the sixth inning of the intrasquad game and threw a round of live batting practice.

The Orioles claimed Velázquez off waivers from the Red Sox on March 8 and he was struggling to pitch for them prior to the shutdown.

The summertime training camp roster supports at 53 players and must get right down to 30 for the July 24 opener.

Pitcher Ty Blach is approaching off the pool list after undergoing Tommy John surgery Wednesday on his departed elbow.

The alternate camp is expected to open Thursday day at Prince George’s Stadium.