The Baltimore Orioles could add left-hander Cade Povich back into the mix.
The Baltimore Orioles took care of business over the weekend against the Athletics, completing the sweep and improving their record to 68-69. They remain just one game back of the final wild card spot in the American League and will have a chance to collect more wins beginning Monday at Coors Field. They will take on one of the worst teams in the National League in the Colorado Rockies.
With September approaching, active rosters are set to expand from 26 players to 28, leaving the Orioles with a decision to make on which pitcher and position player they will add as reinforcements for the final four weeks.
It appears that the pitcher could be left-hander Cade Povich. "Left-hander Cade Povich is headed to Denver, where he'll meet up with the Orioles, a source said. He is a possibility to join the roster when they expand Sept. 1," reported Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner.
Povich would make sense as the next man up. The Orioles could turn to a pure reliever or a starter, but Povich offers both in one arm. The 26-year-old was a regular starter in the rotation back in 2024 and 2025 before losing his spot this season, spending most of the year continuing to develop in the minors.
In MLB this year he has appeared in six games including five starts, posting a 4.45 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 10 walks across 28 1/3 innings. Those numbers are not eye-popping, but they reflect a pitcher who can give a team length when needed without putting the game in immediate jeopardy.
If Povich is called up he would likely not get starting opportunities and would instead slot into the bullpen as a long relief arm capable of eating innings for manager Craig Albernaz while keeping higher-leverage arms fresh for the games that matter most down the stretch.
The only other realistic option instead of Povich could be right-hander Felix Bautista. He may not be ready just yet as he is still in the midst of a rehab assignment, but when healthy he has been one of the best bullpen arms in baseball as a former All-Star.
However, Bautista is coming back from a second major surgery and may need more time before the Orioles feel comfortable bringing him back to the big-league level. If his rehab continues to progress well, a late September return remains a possibility that could give Baltimore a weapon heading into October.
