Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cade Povich will open the 2025 regular season as the team's No. 5 starter and will start the home opener on March 31 against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, according to general manager Mike Elias. Povich beat out right-hander Albert Suarez for the final spot in the starting rotation by posting a 3.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 15 strikeouts and four walks in 14 2/3 Grapefruit League innings. The 24-year-old southpaw gets an opportunity in the rotation to start the year thanks to the injury to right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow), who doesn't have a timetable to make his season debut due to elbow inflammation. As a rookie in 2024, Povich went 3-9 with a 5.20 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 69 K's and 34 walks in 79 2/3 frames over 16 starts. The former third-rounder will probably continue to be a work in progress, but he has room for growth and will be an option in AL-only leagues.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cade Povich tossed five hitless innings in Tuesday's 8-2 Grapefruit League victory over the Blue Jays. The lefty walked three batters and struck out six in the outing. It was a much-needed statement performance from the southpaw whose chances to make the rotation to begin the season improved with Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) expected to miss the first month. In all, Povich has allowed five earned runs over a total of 14 2/3 spring innings, allowing four walks and 15 strikeouts. The 6-foot-3 hurler had a bumpy start to his major league career in 2024, posting a 6.58 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and a 4.5 percent K-BB% over the first 11 starts, but recorded a 2.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 22.4 percent K-BB% over the final five starts. As a former third-round pick and highly rated prospect, Povich is worth a look in deeper and AL-only leagues for fantasy if it's confirmed he'll earn a rotation spot.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cade Povich allowed eight hits and five earned runs across 4 2/3 innings of work on Thursday. Povich was cruising through his first four innings, allowing just one run with three hits. However, in the fifth inning, the southpaw stumbled and served up four runs and five hits, including a home run to Toronto outfielder Daulton Varsho. With Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) expected to miss the start of the season, the 24-year-old is competing for the open spot in the rotation. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during camp, as he has flashed solid upside at times. However, his rough finish to this start could put him on the outside of the 40-man roster. Through 9 2/3 innings in camp, Povich has held a 4.66 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. He held a 5.20 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP across 79 2/3 innings in the majors last season. If he were to make the starting rotation, he could have value in deeper AL-only formats.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitchers Albert Suarez and Cade Povich are set to compete for the open spot in the rotation with Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) set to be sidelined through Opening Day. Earlier in the offseason, Suarez was initially expected to be the next man up, but given Povich's strong performance in spring training, he could surpass him on the depth chart. Last season, Suarez logged 133 2/3 innings in Baltimore and posted a 3.70 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He tallied 108 strikeouts with a modest 7.6 percent walk rate. Povich made his MLB debut last summer and held an underwhelming 5.20 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP across 79 2/3 innings. However, in spring training, Povich has tossed five shutout frames and allowed just one hit while tallying seven punchouts. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Povich's development as he could move up the depth chart if he continues this excellent play. For now, both pitchers are solid late-round targets in AL-only formats.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitchers Albert Suarez and Cade Povich are viewed as the team's No. 6 and No. 7 starters. While this may keep them out of a job in the starting rotation to open the season, they could still compete for a long relief role during camp. Saurez is out of minor-league options and would likely remain on the Opening Day roster. However, given that Povich is only 24 years old, the team will likely opt to have him begin the season at Triple-A to continue his development. Last season, Suarez made 24 starts (32 games) and held a 3.70 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He tallied 108 punchouts. Povich struggled over his first 79 2/3 MLB innings, holding a high 5.20 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP. However, he has begun to flash high upside in spring training, which suggests he will likely be one of the first names called when the major league team needs more pitching depth. As a result, both pitchers should only be targeted in deeper AL-only formats for the time being.

Baltimore Orioles rookie starting pitcher Cade Povich took advantage of a favorable matchup, turning in his best career start in Tuesday's 9-0 win over the White Sox. Povich pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts. The 24-year-old has shown some promise throughout his time with the O's this season but owns a 2-7 record with a 5.76 ERA, a 1.60 WHIP, and a 7.13 K/9 rate in 12 starts and 59 1/3 IP. Povich is slated to face the Red Sox on the road in his next start and should have the opportunity to make more starts throughout September, given the injuries the O's have suffered in their rotation. While he may be a name to watch in keeper or dynasty leagues, fantasy managers may want to avoid Povich down the stretch of re-draft leagues due to his inconsistent performance.

The Baltimore Orioles plan to call up left-handed pitching prospect Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk in order to make the start on Saturday at Camden Yards against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the decision. Right-hander Albert Suarez, who was originally scheduled to start on Saturday, has been moved back and forth between the rotation and bullpen this year. The 24-year-old Povich is the No. 5 prospect for the O's, per MLB Pipeline, and has struggled to a 6.27 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and 23 walks in his first eight big-league starts in 2024. In two starts for Norfolk since his last MLB stint, Povich has allowed six runs with 11 K's and two walks while completing seven innings in both outings. The youngster will be a risky fantasy streamer against Boston this weekend.

The Baltimore Orioles recalled rookie left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, and he will start the second game of the team's doubleheader against the visiting division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. Povich, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, struggled in his first seven major-league starts before being sent back to Norfolk, going 1-4 with a 6.27 ERA (6.27 FIP) and a 1.54 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and 18 walks in 33 innings pitched. The 24-year-old southpaw also allowed seven home runs, so he makes for a pretty volatile streaming option on Monday's slate of action. Povich, a former third-round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2021 out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, allowed six earned runs while walking four and striking out two in 5 1/3 innings in a loss in his big-league debut against the Blue Jays back on June 6.

Baltimore Orioles beat reporter Jake Rill is reporting that the club will promote pitching prospect Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk to start Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader versus the division rival Toronto Blue Jays. The left-hander is the Orioles No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline and has made seven starts at the big-league level thus far. Although he got roughed up for eight runs in his second career start, he has allowed three earned runs or less in his six other starts. The potential remains high for the left-hander, but even with a good start, it is likely that he will return to Norfolk following the contest. Although the Blue Jays do not offer the biggest threat, it is probably best to avoid Povich in this contest as it is riskier than rewarding to roll with him on Monday.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitching prospect Cade Povich was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. In a corresponding move, Baltimore promoted right-handed pitcher Vinny Nittoli from Triple-A to fill the roster spot. The former third-round selection made his major league debut on June 6 and made seven starts in his first major league stint. Across 33 innings, the southpaw posted a 6.27 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and an 18:24 BB:K ratio. While his statistics do not look great, he did allow three runs or less in five of his seven starts. However, in the other two starts, he allowed six or more runs, which significantly affected his ratios. Earlier this season at Norfolk, the Nebraska product posted a solid 3.18 ERA and 1.11 WHIP and should be expected to return to the major leagues later this summer once he works out his struggles.