Cade

Povich

Povich was in the running for a spot in Baltimore’s season-opening rotation this spring but struggled to a 4.32 ERA and 6/7 K/BB ratio across 8 1/3 innings in Grapefruit League action. The 25-year-old southpaw will open the year back in the minors with veterans Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer occupying the final spots in the Orioles’ rotation mix.

The left-hander also struck out four, but he walked five and threw only 52 percent of his pitches for strikes. Even with his four strikeouts, he had just a 14 percent whiff rate, so it seems like he was more effectively wild than anything today. He’s going to start the season in Triple-A, and it’s hard to count on him for worthwhile MLB innings this year.

Povich got nine groundouts to go along with one lineout and one strikeout today. Unfortunately, his nice spring to date doesn’t seem likely to go him any good. He’s seventh or eighth on the Orioles’ SP depth chart and is bound to head to Triple-A initially.

He allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one before departing. The Orioles’ additions have knocked Povich down to seventh or eighth on the SP depth chart for now, so he’s probably Triple-A bound to start the year. Still, it’s important that he pitch well and avoid getting passed by anyone else.

No aces for the Orioles, but this is another strong addition. The 36-year-old Bassitt has made 30 starts each of the last four seasons, going 52-40 with a 3.77 ERA during that span. His stuff did show signs of decline last season and he was left out of the Jays’ postseason rotation, but he wound up looking great as a setup man during the team’s World Series run. He’ll join Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz in the Orioles rotation, leaving one spot for Dean Kremer or Zach Elfin. However, they’ll surely need all six starters in the end. The move does push Cade Povich further down the depth chart, and it would seem to guarantee that Tyler Wells will open up in the pen.

Eflin, who was 26-17 with a 3.54 ERA between 2023 and ’24, is coming off a rough 2025 (6-5, 5.93 ERA in 14 stars) that included season-ending back surgery in August. Maybe he’ll rebound, but he seems more like a depth starter than a potential No. 2 or No. 3 at this point. As things stand now, he’s set to join a rotation that includes Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and Dean Kremer. That wouldn’t leave any room for Tyler Wells or Cade Povich, assuming that everyone is healthy.

It’s a procedural move to free up an additional roster spot after Povich was lit up for five runs over 5 2/3 innings on Thursday against the Rays in his final regular-season outing. The 25-year-old finishes an underwhelming campaign with an inflated 5.21 ERA and 118/43 K/BB ratio across 112 1/3 innings over 22 appearances (20 starts).

Generating soft contact and six whiffs, Povich’s curve was effective the 39 times he threw it today. The other 60 pitches, however, left much to be desired. Three different Rays hit balls at least 110 mph off him. Povich finishes up 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA in 112 1/3 innings. As a rookie last year, he was 3-9 with a 5.20 ERA in 79 2/3 innings. Assuming that the Orioles add at least a little rotation help this winter, Povich should open 2026 back in Triple-A.

Povich also issued four free passes on the evening while striking out five. The Yankees pushed two runs across against him in the opening inning on a two-run double by Amed Rosario. Povich then kept them off the board until the fifth inning where Austin Wells chipped in an RBI single. Povich got nine whiffs on 89 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 28 percent. He’ll look to bounce back and finish the 2025 campaign on a high note as he totes a 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and a 114/41 K/BB ratio (106 2/3 innings) into Thursday’s showdown against the Rays.

Povich got 17 whiffs today. His 25% strikeout rate this season has been a really nice surprise, but since he’s given up 17 homers in 101 2/3 innings, his ERA stands at 5.05. It also hasn’t helped that he’s been far worse with runners on than with the bases empty. He’ll likely next face the White Sox on Wednesday.