Knowing Dean Kremer won¡¯t pitch again this season, the Orioles optioned him to their alternate training site on Thursday in lieu of bullpen depth, recalling right-hander David Hess in a corresponding move. Hess, who spent much of 2019 in the O¡¯s rotation, will serve as an additional longman in their 'pen for the final four games of the season.

Still, it could be a consequential assignment for Hess, whose final Minor League option will expire at season¡¯s end. The O's are expected to undergo a substantial 40-man roster turnover this winter, with at least four Top 20 Prospects to protect from the Rule 5 Draft, key players Trey Mancini and Richie Martin returning from the 60-day injured list and Kohl Stewart from the COVID IL.

The Orioles currently have three open spots on their 40-man roster but could require at least four more at some point, and Hess could potentially be on the bubble if there is a squeeze.

(Baltimore also has veteran lefty Wade LeBlanc returning from the 60-day injured list but is expected to allow him to elect free agency.)

¡°You go with the body of work and you¡¯re also looking for them to improve on things you¡¯ve talked about over the course of the year,¡± O's manager Brandon Hyde said, speaking in general about impending roster decisions. ¡°This isn¡¯t an ideal evaluation year, because it¡¯s only a two-month season, and we¡¯re going to do the best we can.¡±

Promoted to fill a rotation hole in May 2018, Hess went 4-20 with a 5.79 ERA in 33 starts over the next two seasons. He lost his rotation spot in August 2019, then spent most of this summer at the O¡¯s alternate training site in Bowie, Md. The 27-year-old owns a 5.86 ERA in 47 career appearances across parts of three seasons.

Kremer was hit hard in his final start of 2020 on Wednesday, allowing seven runs over 2 2/3 innings during a loss to the Red Sox. The Orioles hope it¡¯s just a blip considering how the first three MLB starts went for their No. 10 prospect: Kremer went 1-0 with a 1.69 in those outings. The righty is expected to be part of the '21 rotation.

From the trainer¡¯s room
The O's completed their three-game series at Fenway Park on Thursday without slugger Renato Núñez, who was sidelined with a sore right knee. He is considered day-to-day.

It has been a streaky but quietly productive year for N¨²?ez, with the second-year designated hitter batting .251 with 12 homers and a 117 OPS+. He¡¯s also sprinkled in more time defensively at third and first with Chris Davis relegated to a reserve role and oft-injured, starting 32 of 51 games in the field.

The 26-year-old is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter after hitting 43 homers across 202 games over the past two seasons.