BALTIMORE -- A familiar face is returning to Baltimore’s bullpen for the 2026 season.
The Orioles acquired right-hander Andrew Kittredge from the Cubs in exchange for cash considerations on Tuesday. It marks a reunion between the 35-year-old reliever and the O’s, who dealt Kittredge to Chicago on July 31 as part of the club’s Trade Deadline selloff.
Last offseason, Kittredge signed with Baltimore on a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $10 million. He earned $9 million in 2025, then had a $9 million team option for ‘26 (featuring a $1 million buyout).
Kittredge’s first season with the Orioles began on the injured list, as he missed nearly the first two months of the regular season after undergoing left knee surgery in March. He went on to post a 3.45 ERA in 31 games for the O’s before being traded to the Cubs in exchange for 18-year-old Dominican shortstop Wilfri De La Cruz (Baltimore's No. 24 prospect per MLB Pipeline).
In Chicago, Kittredge recorded a 3.32 ERA over 23 appearances, helping Chicago reach the postseason as a National League Wild Card. He finished the season with a 3.40 ERA in 54 games, then allowed three runs in five innings over five playoff outings.
A nine-year MLB veteran, Kittredge owns a 3.43 ERA over 309 career games. He previously pitched for the Rays (2017-23) and the Cardinals (‘24), having one of his best seasons in St. Louis, where he recorded a 2.80 ERA in 74 appearances.
The Orioles signed Kittredge to provide a boost to their bullpen, as the team expected to contend after reaching the postseason each of the previous two years. However, Baltimore underperformed -- finishing in last place in the American League East at 75-87 -- which is why the veteran Kittredge was among the nine big leaguers traded for prospect capital in July.
Now, the O’s intend to have a bounce-back season in 2026, with new manager Craig Albernaz at the helm. President of baseball operations Mike Elias plans on making the necessary moves to help his club immediately return to postseason contention.
Kittredge should help a bullpen that was hit hard by the Trade Deadline losses, as right-hander Bryan Baker (Rays), righty Seranthony Domínguez (Blue Jays) and lefty Gregory Soto (Mets) were all moved at the same time as Kittredge. The Orioles are also planning to be without closer Félix Bautista (right shoulder surgery) for most of next season.
Baltimore will need to make more moves to reconstruct its relief corps, but Kittredge should be a solid starting point for the unit. He will likely pitch high-leverage innings and be among the primary options during the seventh and eighth in close games.