The Orioles have shifted back to carrying 13 pitchers, and the move may not just be a one-night setup.
Josh Walker was brought up from Triple-A Norfolk to work as the 27th man in Game 2 of the doubleheader, giving Baltimore a second left-handed option in the bullpen alongside Grant Wolfram. Walker could head back to Norfolk later tonight, but the club also has left-hander Cade Povich on the taxi squad in case a relief appearance is needed.
Povich has already logged four outings with the Orioles, including three starts, and owns a 5.12 ERA across 19 1/3 innings. He landed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation, then was optioned after being reinstated.
Since then, he’s made two rehab appearances with Double-A Chesapeake and has pitched in three games for Norfolk. His most recent start came Friday, when he gave up two runs in five innings.
The outing before that was rougher: seven runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings, with four walks.
Baltimore is off Thursday, which leaves open the possibility that Povich could be recalled for the weekend series against the Braves at Camden Yards if the Orioles don’t make a move with him tonight.
The lineup for Game 2 includes 14 position players, with Johnathan Rodríguez handling designated hitter duties. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is back at third base after going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and a homer in Game 1, a 6-3 loss that stretched Boston’s winning streak to 15 games.
Dylan Beavers is in center field, Tyler O’Neill remains in right and in the cleanup spot, and Chadwick Tromp is behind the plate to catch Kyle Bradish.
On the injury front, reliever Cameron Foster is starting his rehab assignment tonight with High-A Frederick after missing two months with a shoulder injury.
The Orioles also reinstated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel, known as “Big Christmas,” from Norfolk’s injured list and then released him. Noel hit .121 with a .460 OPS in 30 games and struck out 36 times.
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