SARASOTA, Fla. – Left-hander Cade Povich will keep working out as a starter at Triple-A.

The Orioles optioned Povich to minor league camp before tonight’s exhibition game against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. The spring training roster is reduced to 51 players.

Povich made three starts and allowed four runs and three hits in 8 1/3 innings. Five of his seven walks were issued Friday afternoon in 2 2/3 innings against the Phillies in Clearwater.

The major league rotation never seemed to have a spot for Povich barring injuries, but the Orioles could have decided to use him as a third lefty in the bullpen.

Manager Craig Albernaz said earlier this month that Povich was on “the starter path,” but added that “everything is on the table.”

“It’s one of those guys where we want to see where the starter Povich takes over and see where that goes development-wise,” Albernaz said. “But also with him, with his experience, we can always pivot and see what happens in the bullpen. But right now the forefront (is) starting role, and we’ll kind of see where things shake out.”

Grant Wolfram seems to have the inside track on the third lefty role if the Orioles decide on that ratio. They also could make a move late in camp that alters the composition of the bullpen.

Povich made 22 appearances with the Orioles last season, including 20 starts, and registered a 5.21 ERA and 1.496 WHIP over 112 1/3 innings. He finished with a 5.20 ERA and 1.431 WHIP in 16 starts as a rookie totaling 79 2/3 innings in 2024.

Povich started the home opener last season.

The Norfolk Tides’ rotation seems loaded with Povich in a group that also could include Brandon Young, Trey Gibson, Nestor German, Levi Wells, and Cameron Weston.

Albert Suárez signed a minor league deal and is competing for a bullpen job with the Orioles.