The Orioles recalled right-hander Cam Sanders from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, adding bullpen depth in a move that also cleared a rotation spot that looks earmarked for Chris Bassitt's return.
It's Sanders' third stint with Baltimore this season. The Orioles acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations in July, and he's bounced between Norfolk and the majors since, working exclusively out of the bullpen. He'll fill a middle-relief role.
To make room, Baltimore optioned left-hander Cade Povich to Norfolk. Povich had been holding down the rotation's fifth spot while Bassitt worked back from a lower back injury that's kept him out since early June, and the move looks less like a demotion on merit than a sign the rotation picture is about to change. Bassitt made his third rehab start for Norfolk on August 7, throwing six scoreless innings on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts — what's been described as likely his final tune-up before rejoining Baltimore's staff, with a return targeted for mid-August.
The timing lines up. The Orioles were already weighing how to handle Povich's rotation spot once Bassitt was ready, and sending him down now, rather than waiting for a corresponding roster crunch, suggests the club expects Bassitt back imminently.