The Baltimore Orioles had one of the worst bullpens in Major League Baseball last season (25th, 4.57 ERA), added right-handers Ryan Helsley and former Chicago Cubs reliever Andrew Kittredge to give things a boost.
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Sadly for the Orioles, Kittredge won’t be a factor for them to start the season, with Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reporting that the soon-to-be 36-year-old (March 17) Kittredge will likely start the season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
Kittredge has pitched in one game this spring and allowed three runs (two earned) in a third of an inning.
Kittredge was with the Orioles and the Cubs last season, having a 4-3 record with a 3.40 ERA in 54 games. 2025 marked the fifth straight season Kittredge had an ERA under 3.50.
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The Cubs could have brought Kittredge back to be a part of their revamped bullpen, as he had a $9 million club option, which the Orioles picked up upon trading for him. Kittredge had knee surgery to begin last season, which forced him to miss Opening Day and debut on May 21.
Kittredge’s absence means others on the fringes of the Orioles roster will get chances to see if they can fill a late-inning role that Kittredge would’ve occupied.
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