Orioles recall Cade Povich to start series opener against Yankees

Key facts

• Cade Povich recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to start Friday's game against the Yankees.
• Reliever Cam Foster optioned to Triple-A to make room on the roster.
• Povich has a 2.19 ERA in two appearances (one start) with the Orioles, allowing three runs in 12.1 innings.
• In four career starts vs. Yankees, Povich has a 10.98 ERA with 17 walks and 14 strikeouts in 19.2 innings.
• Trevor Rogers placed on 15-day injured list due to flu.
• Adley Rutschman has a.413 career on-base percentage vs. Yankees, third-highest among active MLB players.
• Rutschman is batting.467 with four homers and 14 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.
• Yankees have won 10 of last 12 games, best record in AL at 20-11.

Povich returns to rotation as Orioles face first-place Yankees

The Baltimore Orioles have recalled left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk to start Friday night’s series opener against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The move fills the rotation vacancy created when lefty Trevor Rogers was placed on the 15-day injured list with the flu. Povich, 24, has made two major-league appearances this season — one start and one relief outing — posting a 2.19 ERA over 12⅓ innings. He has allowed three earned runs while striking out seven and walking three. His promotion comes as the Orioles begin a four-game road set against the first-place Yankees, who own the best record in the American League at 20-11.

Roster move: Foster optioned to make room

To clear a spot on the active roster, the Orioles optioned reliever Cam Foster to Triple-A Norfolk. Foster had been with the big-league club since late April. The transaction was announced shortly before Friday’s first pitch. Povich is expected to make at least one start, with Rogers’ absence projected to be brief. The Orioles will need a starter for Monday’s game as well, and have not yet announced who will fill that slot.

Povich’s mixed history against the Yankees

In four career starts against New York, Povich has struggled significantly, surrendering 10 runs on 14 hits with 17 walks and 14 strikeouts across 19⅔ innings — a 10.98 ERA. His command issues have been pronounced, averaging nearly eight walks per nine innings against the Yankees. Despite those numbers, the Orioles are banking on his strong early-season form. Povich’s 2.19 ERA in 2025 is built on a 7:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a marked improvement over his career 1.5 K/BB ratio entering the year.

Rutschman nearing milestones amid hot streak

Catcher Adley Rutschman is expected to be in the starting lineup Friday. He enters the game one hit shy of 500 for his career, which would come in his 522nd game. that would make him the ninth-fastest Oriole to reach 500 hits since 2000. Rutschman has been on a tear: over a seven-game hitting streak, he is batting.467 with four home runs and 14 RBIs. The last Oriole to match those totals over a seven-game span was Trey Mancini in September 2019, who hit.469 with four homers and 16 RBIs. Rutschman also owns a.413 career on-base percentage against the Yankees, the third-highest among active major leaguers.

Yankees riding hot streak with Judge leading majors in homers

New York enters the series having won 10 of its last 12 games, building a plus-47 run differential — best in the American League. Aaron Judge is tied for the major-league home run lead with 12, and has historically feasted on Orioles pitching. In 120 career games against Baltimore, Judge is hitting.321 with a.456 on-base percentage and.733 slugging, with 20 doubles, 51 home runs and 109 RBIs. The Orioles, meanwhile, are coming off back-to-back home series against last-place clubs and now face the league’s top team on the road. The contrast in competition level is stark.

Ward’s walk streak approaches club record

Outfielder Taylor Ward has walked in nine consecutive games, one shy of the club record. The Orioles’ franchise mark for consecutive games with a walk is 10, achieved twice by Boog Powell (1969 and 1973) and once by Ken Singleton (1978). Ward’s nine-game streak also ties Powell’s earlier runs from 1965 and 1968. Ward’s patience at the plate has been a key component of Baltimore’s offense, which will need to produce against a Yankees pitching staff that has been stingy of late.

Rotation outlook and what comes next

With Povich starting Friday, the Orioles are expected to send Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz to the mound for the next two games. The team has not yet named a starter for Monday’s series finale, leaving open the possibility of a bullpen game or another call-up from Norfolk. Rogers’ IL stint is not expected to be lengthy, meaning Povich may remain with the big club for only a couple of turns through the rotation. His performance against a potent Yankees lineup could determine whether he stays longer. For now, the Orioles are relying on a pitcher with a 2.19 ERA but a history of struggles against the opponent he faces.

The bottom line

• Cade Povich recalled from Triple-A to start Friday vs. Yankees, replacing flu-stricken Trevor Rogers.
• Povich has a 2.19 ERA in two MLB outings this year but a 10.98 ERA in four career starts vs. New York.
• Adley Rutschman is one hit from 500 and batting.467 with 4 HR, 14 RBI in a seven-game streak.
• Yankees lead AL with 20-11 record; Aaron Judge has 12 HR and a.321/.456/.733 line vs. Orioles.
• Taylor Ward has walked in nine straight games, one shy of the Orioles’ franchise record.
• Orioles need a starter for Monday; Rogers’ absence is expected to be short.