The St. Louis Cardinals acquired relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday in exchange for outfielder Richie Palacios, according to a source. Kittredge returned from Tommy John surgery in August of 2023 and was able to hold opponents to a .683 OPS in his 14 relief appearances for Tampa. The 33-year-old right-hander was an All-Star in 2021, when he had a 1.88 ERA (3.04 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high eight saves and career-high 77 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings over 57 outings (four starts). Kittredge won't be a favorite saves in St. Louis -- that falls to Ryan Helsley -- but he'll remain in a high-leverage role and is a solid acquisition for a Cardinals bullpen that really let them down this past season. Kittredge should be relevant in deep holds leagues if he can stay healthy.
The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge (elbow) from the 60-day injured list on Thursday and designated right-hander Hector Perez for assignment in a corresponding move. Kittredge will be making his 2023 debut when he gets into a game after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of 2022. He was an All-Star in 2021 when he had a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, a career-high eight saves and 77 strikeouts in 71 2/3 relief innings, so he should eventually work his way back into high-leverage situations and could be an asset in deeper fantasy leagues that count holds. For now, though, expect Tampa to ease him in as more of a middle reliever after such a long layoff, which will limit his fantasy appeal. Pete Fairbanks remains the Rays' closer.
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge (elbow) continues to work his way back from last year's Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has already made 15 minor league rehab appearances this season. It sounds like the veteran reliever is making solid progress and is nearly ready to return. In fact, Kittredge will reportedly be ready to join the team for their next series versus the Los Angeles Angels. The expectation is that the Rays are going to ease Kittredge into his role. The hope is that he'll be a successful high-leverage option once he's fully healthy.
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Andrew Kittredge (elbow) has been on a rehab assignment since July 4, and he continues to pitch without any issues, according to MLB.com. The 33-year-old has been out of action since the middle of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. However, Kittredge could return to the Rays by mid-August if there are no setbacks. Since the 2020 season, the right-hander has been dominant, posting a 2.17 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 24.2% strikeout rate with 14 saves and eight holds. The club has a deep bullpen, but Kittredge may find himself in a handful of hold situations when he's back.
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge (elbow) is scheduled to face hitters during a live batting practice session on Friday. The right-hander has been sidelined all season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Kittredge underwent surgery last June, so in theory he should be fully recovered soon. The 33-year-old posted a 1.88 ERA (3.04 FIP), 0.98 WHIP across 57 appearances during the 2021 campaign. The hope is that Kittredge can rejoin the Rays bullpen around the All-Star Break.
The Tampa Bay Rays moved relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge (elbow) to the 60-day injured list on Thursday and added right-hander Trevor Kelley to the 40-man roster in a corresponding move. Kelley was already with the team on a minor-league deal. Kittredge had Tommy John surgery last June and is expected to miss at least the first half of the 2023 season. The 32-year-old right-hander is a valuable high-leverage bullpen arm when healthy, as he had a sparkling 1.88 ERA (3.04 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, a career-high eight saves and 77 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings over 57 outings (four starts) for the Rays in his All-Star campaign in 2021. Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam figure to share closing duties for Tampa to open the 2023 season.
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the 2022 season, as well as at least the first half of the 2023 season. Kittredge was originally slated for a less invasive surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow, but imaging showed the need for Tommy John. This is a very unfortunate break for Kittredge, who appeared to have claimed the top leverage role in the Rays bullpen. It won't be easy for fantasy managers to replace Kittredge, and the Rays bullpen usage won't make things any easier. Colin Poche, Ryan Thompson, Brooks Raley, Jason Adam, J.P. Feyereisen, and Matt Wisler all have saves for the Rays this year, and manager Kevin Cash is notorious for not using his relievers in traditional ways.
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that closer Andrew Kittredge (elbow) is likely headed for surgery to have a loose body removed from his elbow, and he'll be out at least a month. Kittredge went back on the injured list on Thursday, and although it could've been worse, he'll still be out for an extended period of time. The 32-year-old right-hander has been strong for fantasy managers this year when healthy, recording a 3.15 ERA, 14 strikeouts and five saves in 20 innings pitched, so he deserves to be stashed in an IL spot. In his absence, the Rays are likely to go with a closer committee, potentially headed by Colin Poche, who recorded Tampa's last save on June 3. However, names like Jason Adam, Brooks Raley, Matt Wisler, Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson could also see save opportunities here and there.
The Tampa Bay Rays placed closer Andrew Kittredge (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with right elbow discomfort and recalled right-hander Calvin Faucher from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Kittredge's injured list placement is retroactive to June 8. The 32-year-old right-hander has five saves and a solid 3.15 ERA in 20 relief innings as the Rays closer this year, but he could miss extended time this time around. It remains to be seen how Tampa will handle ninth-inning closing duties in his absence, with Colin Poche, Jason Adam and Brooks Raley all possibilities to see save chances in the near future.
The Tampa Bay Rays activated closer Andrew Kittredge (back) from the injured list on Sunday and optioned right-hander Calvin Faucher to the minors in a corresponding move. Kittredge only threw one inning on a minor league rehab assignment and struck out one in a scoreless frame before returning to the Rays bullpen. His return is good timing with J.P. Feyereisen on the injured list. Kittredge returns to a 3.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, five saves, 13 strikeouts and one walk in 18 relief innings for Tampa this year, and he should immediately return to closing duties. Fantasy managers should get him right back into their starting lineups.
