Veteran Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge is expected to miss the start of the season due to right shoulder inflammation, Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz confirmed Wednesday. The 35-year-old right-hander faces a low chance of being ready when the Orioles open their schedule at home against the Minnesota Twins on March 26, according to the latest Andrew Kittredge injury update.
Kittredge’s Recent Performance and Health Challenges
Kittredge returned to Baltimore in a trade last November after spending part of the previous season with the Chicago Cubs. Despite his experience, Kittredge has pitched only once in spring training, allowing two earned runs in just one-third of an inning on February 25. Albernaz explained the cautious approach:
“We kind of slowed down his progression,”
he said.
“It creeped up his last outing here, and so, we just want to do right by him and make sure we get that knocked out.”
Last year, Kittredge posted a 4-3 record with a 3.40 ERA over 54 relief appearances and 53 innings, striking out 64 batters while walking 11. However, injury has been an ongoing concern; he missed the start of the 2025 campaign following debridement surgery on his left knee, not returning until late May.
Kittredge’s Career Overview and Orioles’ Injury Troubles
Over nine major league seasons with teams including the Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, Cubs, and Orioles, Kittredge has accumulated a 27-15 record and a 3.43 ERA across 309 appearances, 15 of which were starts, pitching 338 1/3 innings overall. His absence adds to Baltimore’s spring injury challenges, which also include second baseman Jackson Holliday, sidelined with a broken hamate bone in his right hand, and third baseman Jordan Westburg, who is recovering from a partial UCL tear in his right elbow.
The Orioles will need to adjust their bullpen plans as the season opener approaches, navigating the setbacks among several key contributors while aiming to remain competitive in the American League East.
