BALTIMORE -- One day after exiting the Orioles’ 4-3 loss in Thursday night’s finale in Miami due to left forearm discomfort, Cade Povich has hit the injured list with a new injury designation.
Povich was placed on the 15-day IL prior to Friday’s opener vs. the A’s due to left elbow inflammation. The 26-year-old left-hander, who has a 5.12 ERA in four games (three starts) for Baltimore this season, could receive a cortisone shot, though other options for treatment are also on the table.
The positive news is that the inflammation is on the outside of Povich's left elbow in the triceps/forearm area.
"It's not on the inside," manager Craig Albernaz said. "It's on the outside, which is better than the alternative. I'm also glad he said something, too."
The O’s recalled right-hander Trey Gibson (the club’s No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline) from Triple-A Norfolk as the corresponding move. The 23-year-old right-hander was available out of the bullpen for Friday's game after having a solid MLB debut in his spot start at Yankee Stadium last Sunday, when he allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings.
Povich became the 17th Oriole to spend time on the injured list this season, and the 12th currently on the IL. The group of sidelined players features three other starting pitchers -- Trevor Rogers (illness), Dean Kremer (right quad strain) and Zach Eflin, who is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 8.
It’s possible Rogers could start Monday’s series opener against the Yankees at Camden Yards, as the 28-year-old left-hander is eligible to be reinstated that day.
Right-handers Kyle Bradish (Friday’s starter), Shane Baz (Saturday), Chris Bassitt (Sunday) and Brandon Young (TBD) remain in Baltimore’s rotation.
The O's tough injury luck has been a continuation from 2025, when they used the IL 39 times for 29 players during a 75-87 campaign. They entered Friday with a 17-21 record, yet they were only one game out of an American League Wild Card spot because of how wide open the league has been early in the season.
Still, it's tough for the Orioles' clubhouse to see so many teammates go down, knowing they'll need to step up and help fill these gaps until the trend begins to go the other way.
"They feel for the player. They know how bad they want to go out there, especially when you're in that room," Albernaz said. "They see all the work that the player is putting in, how hard he works, the preparation. So when a player goes down with an injury, you feel for him. But also, they know that you still have to play the game. They know that the next person up is prepared and talented [enough] to go out there and win.
"So, you want to support and love on whoever is hurt, but then also realize that the next person up is ready to go. The mindset changes and you try to figure out how to win tonight's game."