The Orioles announced the waiver claim of right-handed hitting outfielder Luis Robert Jr. He hasn’t reported to the club and is set to be added to Tuesday’s expanded roster.

Infielder Luis Vázquez was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Left-hander Cade Povich was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and gets tonight’s starting assignment against the Rockies in Colorado. Reliever Anthony Nunez was optioned.

The Orioles can add another pitcher on Tuesday.

Povich made six appearances (five starts) with the Orioles and posted a 4.45 ERA and 1.412 WHIP in 28 1/3 innings before going on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. He’s totaled 11 starts with Norfolk and registered a 5.68 ERA and 1.401 WHIP with 58 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings.

In last Tuesday’s start against Durham, Povich threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, one walk and 11 strikeouts.

The rest of the rotation for the series hasn’t been announced.

Nunez made the team out of spring training but has been optioned multiple times. He’s registered a 4.29 ERA in 44 games.

With the Guardians idle today, the Orioles can move within a half-game of the third Wild Card if they defeat the Rockies.

The Orioles have won seven of nine and can reach .500 for the first time since Game 1 of an April 30 doubleheader. Their run differential is down to minus-18. The Rockies (52-85) are minus-142, worst in the National League.

The Orioles were 42-51 on July 8. The only major league teams to make the playoffs after being nine or more games under .500 at least 90 games into a season are the 1973 Mets (13 under) and the 1984 Royals (11).

The lineup hasn’t been posted, but Pete Alonso was removed from yesterday’s game in Sacramento after being hit on the helmet. Manager Craig Albernaz told the media afterward that Alonso “came out fine.”

“He was typical Pete in the dugout,” Albernaz said, “so he’ll be fine.”

Alonso owns a .773 slugging percentage at Coors Field, third highest all-time in a minimum 75 plate appearances.

Colton Cowser is slugging .581 this month, an increase of 478 points from his .103 slugging percentage in July.

The Orioles are catching the Rockies at a good time, which isn’t hard to do. Colorado has lost four in a row and 11 of 13. The team also has dropped nine in a row at home, tied for the longest streak in franchise history.

The Rockies’ .252 average, .414 slugging percentage and .737 OPS rank fourth in the majors. A 5.49 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and .288 opponent average rank last.

The run-scoring possibilities in this series are endless.

Right-hander Tanner Gordon, the Braves’ sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft out of Indiana University, is making his 20th appearance and eighth start this season. He has a 5.38 ERA and 1.434 WHIP in 83 2/3 innings.

Gordon held the Nationals to one run in seven innings in his last start.

Right-handers are hitting .319/.349/.507 against Gordon and left-handers are hitting .298/.329/.571. He’s posted a 7.89 ERA and 1.638 WHIP in nine home games and a 2.68 ERA and 1.215 WHIP in 10 road games.

Gordon has never faced the Orioles. Blaze Alexander is 2-for-6 against him.

Hunter Goodman is on pace to join Yogi Berra as the only catchers in major league history to lead their team in home runs and runs scored in consecutive seasons.

The Rockies are 5-4 against the Orioles at Coors Field. Both teams have scored 51 runs and struck out 65 times.

*Alonso is playing first base tonight in Colorado instead of serving as designated hitter.

Coby Mayo gets another opportunity to bat cleanup, though against a right-hander tonight.

Samuel Basallo is catching, so his right hand is fine. Blaze Alexander is at third base, which puts Christian Encarnacion-Strand on the bench.

For the Orioles
Jackson Holliday 2B
Pete Alonso 1B
Gunnar Henderson SS
Coby Mayo DH
Dylan Beavers LF
Samuel Basallo C
Blaze Alexander 3B
Colton Cowser CF
Leody Tavaras RF

Cade Povich LHP

For the Rockies
Jake McCarthy CF
Connor Norby 2B
Hunter Goodman C
TJ Rumfield 1B
Willi Castro 3B
Mickey Moniak RF
Jordan Beck LF
Troy Johnston DH
Ezequiel Tovar SS

Tanner Gordon RHP

Kyle Bradish starts Tuesday night and Trevor Rogers Wednesday afternoon.

Triple-A catcher Creed Willems is on the taxi squad. He won’t join the active roster. The Orioles just want him around the major league club.