Suárez or Povich? O's No. 5 rotation spot could go either way

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Not many position battles are coming down to the wire at Orioles camp during the final week of Spring Training. But there is one that has taken center stage.

Who will be the No. 5 starter in Baltimore’s rotation?

It’s a two-man battle, and each has made a legitimate case for his inclusion.

Albert Suárez had a slow start to the spring -- hence his 5.82 ERA in 17 innings over five Grapefruit League outings -- but the 35-year-old Venezuelan right-hander has certainly come on of late. Suárez has a 2.84 ERA in three March appearances, including five innings of one-run ball vs. a lineup filled with Tigers starters on Sunday in Lakeland.

Cade Povich began strong this spring, tossing five scoreless innings over his first two Grapefruit starts. The 24-year-old Nebraskan had a bumpy start last Thursday -- when he allowed five runs and eight hits vs. Toronto -- but he put together a much better showing against a strong Blue Jays lineup on Tuesday night, when he tossed five scoreless, hitless innings in an 8-2 win at Ed Smith Stadium.

It feels like the O’s could still go either way at this point. Suárez and Povich remain in the running for the spot vacated by right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who will open the season on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation.

Povich understood the significance of his Tuesday start, especially because he may not get another chance to pitch in a Grapefruit game before camp ends Sunday.

“Yeah, obviously, toward the end, I think we’ve got a week left. Not many more opportunities,” said Povich, who worked around three walks and struck out six. “Definitely, if this is my last one, try and leave it all out and, hopefully, give myself the best shot.”

If Povich doesn’t crack the rotation, then he’ll likely be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles will want the southpaw -- who had a 5.20 ERA in 16 starts as a rookie last season, but finished with a 2.60 ERA in five September outings -- to keep starting, rather than put him in a relief role.

But Suárez has no Minor League options remaining. Plus, he has experience coming out of the bullpen, as eight of his 32 big league appearances last year came in relief. And he is willing to do whatever he’s asked in order to help the team.

“The team's focus is to make sure that I can go multiple innings,” Suárez said. “If I'm not in the rotation at the beginning of the season, it's OK, because I can go long from the bullpen, too. So for me, it's either way.”

There’s already room in the ‘pen for Suárez. In fact, there are two openings after right-hander Andrew Kittredge underwent left knee debridement earlier this month. If Suárez starts, then righties Bryan Baker and Matt Bowman (neither of whom have options) could both make the team. If the O’s carry both Povich and Suárez, they’ll risk losing either Baker or Bowman.

“There’s a lot of factors there,” manager Brandon Hyde recently said of the No. 5 starter competition. “We’re all extremely happy about how both of those guys have thrown in camp, and we’re going to continue to watch them and talk about it.”

Homer-happy Mounty

This is what Ryan Mountcastle had to say Tuesday night about where he stands late in spring:

“I’m feeling pretty good at the plate, and my body feels good,” Mountcastle said. “I’m pretty close to being ready and excited for the season.”

A modest answer from a guy who is scorching right now.

The 28-year-old first baseman homered twice vs. the Blue Jays, increasing his Grapefruit League total to five -- all coming since March 11. Over that span, Mountcastle is hitting .375 (6-for-16) with 13 of his 14 spring RBIs.

“Mounty can hit. When he swings at strikes, he does a lot of damage. It’s great to see him get some pull-side homers here,” Hyde said. “He’s really tapped into his power here in spring, especially these last couple of weeks. He’s been fun to watch.”

Worth noting

• Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn each hit their first home runs of the spring, both going left-on-left for solo homers against Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer.

• Jackson Holliday stole second and third base on consecutive pitches in the fourth. The 21-year-old has a team-high five steals this spring.

• Gregory Soto was hit in the leg by a liner in the seventh, but the 30-year-old left-hander stayed in the game and is fine.