Povich pitches 2 scoreless, Mateo hits grand slam in Orioles’ 10-7 loss to Braves

SARASOTA-What’s happening? Last season, Cade Povich started 20 games, third most on the Orioles. This season, the 25-year-old left-hander might not begin the season with the team.

The Orioles have more options to start than they did a year ago — Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer and Trevor Rogers have already started Grapefruit League games. Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin are awaiting their first starts.

Tyler Wells has pitched an inning in relief, and Brandon Young threw two innings in relief on Sunday.

On Monday, Povich pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk and struck out one in the Orioles’ 10-7 loss to the Atlanta Braves before 4,614 at Ed Smith Stadium.

“Overall very pleased with it,” Povich said. “For the most part in the offseason, I’ve been in a good spot with where movement and velos and stuff has been. have been. Being in games, just trying to get back in the routine of batter-to-batter. Filling up the zone and getting ahead early and mixing my pitches.

“Overall today, my goal today was just to get a feel for everything and keep it easy and try to ramp up each inning and each outing in the future.”

Former Oriole Jorge Mateo hit a grand slam in Atlanta’s eight-run sixth inning.

What’s happened? Povich knows the competition will be intense.

“We’ve got a lot of great guys in the rotation and in the bullpen,” he said. “I think competition is always good. When you’re deep and there’s a lot guys running for a starting role or a bullpen role, that just tells you you have a lot of good guys on the staff and a good team overall.

“My goal is just to try and go out there and cheer the guys on and learn from them. A lot of them have a lot of experience. Just try and give my best effort and find a spot where I can fit in.”

Povich acknowledges the bullpen could be a possibility.

“It will continue with talks with them … If they say, ‘we think this is going to help the team the best,’ I’m all for it.”

Minor league right-hander Cohen Achen gave up five runs, four earned, in the sixth without retiring a batter.

Keegan Akin allowed two runs on three hits in the third.

“He looked good,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “He said he felt really good. It’s a slow ramp up for spring training, building off his last outing, He’s right where he needs to be. We’ll see where he goes next.”

Vance Honeycutt, the Orioles’ No. 1 draft choice in 2024, hit a two-run home run.

“That’s awesome,” Albernaz said. “Having the kid come up and get into one … That had to feel good for him to do that.”

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson was hitless in three at-bats as he prepares to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He played in the first two Grapefruit League games, something he’d never do otherwise. Henderson leaves for the WBC on Sunday.

“Just trying to get my body ready is the biggest thing,” he said. “I feel like getting my body ready is the biggest step. I feel like I’m ready to play every day, so I feel like I’m in a good spot.”

Henderson has had to play without second baseman Jackson Holliday and third baseman Jordan Westburg, neither of whom will be ready to play when the season begins on March 26^th.

“Definitely some different faces, but we’ve molded in pretty well,” Henderson said. “That’s what spring training’s for, to get comfortable with all the guys. They’ve been doing great, and I’ve really enjoyed playing with them so far.”

The Orioles signed infielder Thairo Estrada to a minor league contract. The 30-year-old is a veteran of seven major league seasons, but isn’t expected to play immediately.

What’s up with Enoli Paredes? Paredes, a 30-year-old right-hander, has yet to appear in a game for the Orioles. He signed a minor league contract on November 10^th.

“This team has a chance to win the World Series,” Paredes said. “You want to be around a team that has a chance to be in the postseason. I’m the type of guy who brings energy to the clubhouse and tries to know every single person here.”

Paredes is 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA and one save in 55 games in four seasons with Houston, Milwaukee and the Chicago Cubs.

“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the big leagues,” Paredes said. “You’ve got to show the team you can help. The mission is to win a championship this season. I don’t feel I have an advantage because I have more service time than some other guys.”

Paredes allowed three runs on two hits, walked one and recorded his only out on a strikeout in the sixth inning. He was charged with the loss.

What’s what? Braves bench coach Tony Mansolino, who was the Orioles’ interim manager for the final 119 games of the 2025 season, brought the lineup card to home plate.

What’s the word? “I hate it for him because I know he just wants to be out there on the field. That’s all he wants to do, playing out there with the guys. I’m praying the shot works and he gets out there soon.”-Henderson on Westburg, who received a platelet-rich-plasma shot in his right elbow. 

What’s the number? 74. With the addition of Estrada, the Orioles have 74 players in camp. Three pitchers — Félix Bautista and Colin Selby, who are on the 60-day injured list, and Keagan Gillies — as well as infielders Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg have been ruled out for spring training.

What’s the record? 1-2-1. Albert Suárez will make his first start of the spring when the Orioles visit the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers at 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday. Andrew Morris will start for the Twins.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com