O's call up Povich, place Hiraldo (shoulder) on IL

PITTSBURGH -- Cade Povich's first MLB start of 2026 appears to be coming sooner than expected.

The Orioles recalled Povich from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, and the 25-year-old left-hander will presumably start Monday's series opener vs. the White Sox in Chicago. Although it hasn’t been 15 days since Povich was optioned, Baltimore could call him up because it was a corresponding transaction for an injured player, as right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

It could be a one-off spot start for Povich, who should be plugging the rotation hole created by right-hander Zach Eflin going on the 15-day IL with right elbow discomfort on Wednesday.

It is widely expected that right-hander Dean Kremer will eventually take Eflin’s place for the longer term. However, Kremer made his first Triple-A start on Friday -- allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings at Memphis -- so he wouldn’t have been ready to pitch by the time Baltimore needed a fifth starter on either Monday or Tuesday.

Povich recorded a 5.20 ERA in 38 games (36 starts) for the O’s over the past two seasons. He was in the club’s rotation for much of 2025, when he had a 5.21 ERA in 22 games (20 starts).

On Tuesday, Povich made his first start of the season for Norfolk, allowing five runs in five innings with eight strikeouts and no walks at Memphis.

It’s a testament to the Orioles’ improved starting-pitching depth that Povich didn’t make the Opening Day roster. He was optimistic during Spring Training that the heavy competition would make all of them better for the long run.

“I think it helps in all aspects,” Povich said at the time. “And I think it’s one thing if the competition is like, ‘I’m trying to beat this guy,’ and it’s not friendly. But I think this group of guys in this clubhouse, we’re competing, but we’re also all cheering for each other.”

Beginning Thursday, MLB teams can call up pitchers who had been optioned without it being a corresponding move for an IL placement. So Kremer could be coming up soon after.

Hiraldo became the third Baltimore reliever on the IL, joining righty Andrew Kittredge (right shoulder inflammation) and lefty Keegan Akin (left groin strain). The 30-year-old right-hander had a 21.60 ERA over his first three appearances and felt shoulder soreness after his most recent outing on Tuesday, when he allowed three runs in one inning vs. the Rangers.

The O’s relief corps could get a boost soon, though, as Kittredge is currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A and should be nearing a return by mid-April.