Povich on IL with hip inflammation, notes for tonight's game in Tampa

Left-hander Cade Povich, who tossed 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief yesterday in a bulk role behind opener Scott Blewett, won’t pitch for at least 15 days.

The Orioles put Povich on the injured list this afternoon with left hip inflammation and recalled reliever Colin Selby from Triple-A Norfolk.

Povich has a 5.15 ERA in 13 games, including 12 starts. He retired 10 batters in a row yesterday and didn’t show any signs of an injury.

Asked whether pitching in relief instead of starting helped him mentally, Povich replied, “Maybe. I think I was a little amped up. I think my velo was a little higher today. I think I was letting it eat a little early.”

Selby has allowed two runs in 3 2/3 innings and struck out five batters with the Orioles over three appearances. He has a 3.24 ERA in 16 games with Norfolk.

The rotation for the Rays series in Tampa has an opening on Wednesday, with Charlie Morton pushed back to Thursday. Speculation is building that left-hander Trevor Rogers could be recalled.

In the meantime, Povich is out of the rotation and no longer a possibility for the bullpen as a third lefty.

The Orioles will play at George M. Steinbrenner Field for the next four games beginning tonight. The spring training flashbacks could be blinding. But they’re used to minor league settings after their trip to Sacramento.

The Rays had to relocate after Hurricane Milton tore the roof off Tropicana Field, and they’re 39-32 overall and 23-20 at their new home. They’re also the top Wild Card.

The Orioles are facing a team that just swept the Mets in a three-game series at Citi Field and has won nine of 12. But Baltimore has won 11 of 15 and 14 of 20, and Colton Cowser and Ryan O’Hearn are expected to return to the lineup.

Zach Eflin faces his former team tonight. He’s 6-2 with a 4.08 ERA and 1.094 WHIP in nine starts. The Orioles have gone 13-5 in his 18 starts since the deadline trade with Tampa Bay.

Eflin has a 3.15 ERA and 1.150 WHIP in four career games (three starts) against Tampa Bay. Christopher Morel is 3-for-6 with a home run.

The pitching has improved for the Orioles, who have posted a 2.88 ERA in the last 20 games after registering a 6.06 ERA in the previous 20. The opposing OPS has dropped from .830 in that first 20-game span to .655 in the next 20.

The Orioles have won eight of their last nine road games against the Rays.

Gunnar Henderson has a career .644 slugging percentage against the Rays, second highest for any hitter in a minimum 100 at-bats after Mike Trout’s .677, per STATS. His eight home runs are tied for the most against any opponent. He’s also hit eight against the Red Sox.

Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot is 3-6 with a 3.31 ERA and 1.139 WHIP in 14 starts and he’s allowed five runs in his last four outings over 25 1/3 innings. Left-handers are hitting .179/.250/.366 against him and right-handers are hitting .266/.314/.469. He has a 3.57 ERA in nine home starts and a 2.83 ERA in five road games.

Pepiot has made two career starts against the Orioles and allowed five runs and 15 hits in 11 1/3 innings.

O’Hearn is 3-for-6 with a double against Pepiot.

The Rays have won 18 of their last 24 games, the best record in the majors over that span. The Orioles are 15-9. Tampa Bay has a plus-72 run differential during this span, highest by any team over 24 games this season.

Batters have hit 105 home runs at George M. Steinbrenner field, third highest in the majors behind Dodger Stadium (127) and Camden Yards (113).