Questions about Orioles’ roster construction | MAILBAG

Question: Do you think it likely that Aron Estrada will be promoted to take Blaze Alexander’s roster spot while he’s on the injured list? Estrada, a switch-hitter, is having a fine season at Double-AA Chesapeake and will need to be added to the 40-man roster after the season to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.

Under this scenario, Estrada backs up or splits time with Jackson Holliday at second base, Holliday backs up Gunnar Henderson at shortstop and Coby Mayo and Jeremiah Jackson split time at third base. From: Craig Russell

Answer: Craig, I don’t think that the Orioles will promote Aron Estrada from the Baysox to replace Blaze Alexander. The Orioles haven’t recalled a prospect directly from Double-A under Mike Elias, and I don’t think they’ll do so now.

Estrada is a switch-hitter, which is great, and he’s hitting .276 with a .792 OPS with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs. However, he needs to get some time at Triple-A Norfolk, which I guess will be coming soon.

The thought here is that the Orioles will promote either Christian Encarnacion-Strand or Luis Vázquez from Norfolk to take Alexander’s spot. 

Question: I know Cade Povich has been a starting pitcher in the past. Could he be recalled and added to the bullpen as a second lefty? We need more than Grant Wolfram for the left side. From: Webster Owen, Winter Park, Florida

Answer: Webster, I certainly think that Cade Povich is a possibility to be recalled now that Nick Raquet has been optioned to Norfolk. Povich has pitched in long relief three times, but he’s not been a short reliever.

For the moment, it doesn’t look as if the Orioles will be needing him as a starter, though that could change, but he hasn’t pitched on short rest. Converting him to a reliever who could work on consecutive days or with just one day’s rest could be tricky during the season.

The Orioles could try Andrew Magno, who has a 1.02 ERA at Norfolk, or Dietrich Enns as a second lefty. Enns’ numbers at Norfolk haven’t been good, but he can pitch multiple innings.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.