It took a little longer than expected, but Andrew Kittredge is set to return to the Baltimore Orioles bullpen after being activated from the 15-day IL on Friday. Kittredge won't be alone, however. Outfielder Tyler O'Neill, who'd been on the seven-day concussion list, was activated ahead of the series opener against the Boston Red Sox as well.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/PUTFfexotu
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 24, 2026
In order to make room on the 26-man roster, the Orioles optioned outfielder Johnathan RodrÃguez to Triple-A Norfolk and right-handed pitcher Jose Espada was sent to Double-A Chesapeake. Both players remain on the 40-man roster.
Andrew Kittredge's return will help bolster Orioles bullpen
Kittredge was dealt to the O's this past offseason after being traded away midway through the 2025 campaign. Kittredge inked a one-year, $10 million deal with the Orioles in 2025, and much like this season, was unavailable to be part of the Opening Day roster. He made his Baltimore debut in May, but was shipped to the North Side of Chicago at last year's trade deadline.
The Cubbies sent Kittredge back to Charm City shortly after the offseason began. His contract contained a modest $9 million salary for the 2026 season. Wth Felix Bautista opening the season on the IL, Baltimore needed to add another fixture to the back of the bullpen alongside closer Ryan Helsley.
The O's bullpen hasn't been bad to begin the year — they rank seventh in strikeouts and 10th team ERA — but adding a veteran like Kittredge will certainly help bring a measure of calm to what can oftentimes be a volatile group.
Provided O'Neill doesn't stub his toe on a locker, he'll likely see the field with regularity. The outfielder has had his fair share of bizarre injuries over the years, including his most recent trip to the IL that resulted from a fainting episode brought about by dehydration. Reports indicated that O'Neill fainted and suffered a concussion as a result.
O'Neill was thought to have needed a rehab assignment, but that was not the case. Kittredge's rehab assignment was not glamorous — 15.19 ERA over 5⅓ innings — but there's hope that he can return to form rather quickly.