The Baltimore Orioles made a move before Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Baltimore Orioles are turning to a familiar arm ahead of their upcoming series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Left-hander Cade Povich is rejoining the rotation to replace injured right-hander Chris Bassitt. The Orioles optioned right-handed relief pitcher Codi Heuer in a corresponding move.
Povich was scratched from a scheduled Triple-A Norfolk start to make the trip earlier this week. He is lined up to face Milwaukee on Friday. The 26-year-old has bounced between Norfolk and Baltimore all season. In fact, the club has optioned and recalled him several times, using him as its main rotation insurance.
Baltimore lost Bradish to a season-ending sports hernia earlier this week. That diagnosis followed weeks of him pitching through lower abdominal discomfort. His final start was a rough one, too, as he gave up eight hits and five runs over just three innings against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The shutdown effectively ended Bradish’s first full season back from Tommy John surgery. He threw 155 innings in 2026 after logging just 32 the year before.
The Orioles have leaned on their organizational depth to cover innings down the stretch. Povich has handled that swing role in 2026.
Povich owns a 4.05 ERA across seven appearances, six of them starts. Over 33 1/3 innings, he has posted 25 strikeouts and a 2-1 record. However, command has been an issue for him as he has allowed 13 free passes.
The 26-year-old used to be a key member of Baltimore’s rotation. However, he struggled with the Orioles during the 2024-25 seasons. His rookie year saw him own a 3-9 record with a 5.20 ERA across 16 starts. His ERA was almost identical in 2025 across 22 appearances and he once again won just three games.
This year has been slightly better, but not enough to earn a permanent spot. Still, Povich is young and this year has been huge for his development as he attempts to make the rotation in 2027.
His job now on Friday will be to give the Orioles a chance to win and remain in the American League wild card hunt. Baltimore enters the series at 75-78, sitting 3.0 games back of the final playoff spot with just nine games remaining this year.
The Brewers will be a tough assignment for Povich. They have been the best team in the National League this season. However, Baltimore will have no choice but to hope Povich can get the job done.
