Earlier this week, it was reported that the Orioles had come to terms with free agent reliever Andrew Kittredge.

Formerly of the Rays and Cardinals, Kittredge has been a solid reliever for the last 5 years, and even earned an All-Star selection thanks to his performance in 2021.

On Monday afternoon, the Orioles made the move official. Kittredge will receive $9 million in 2025, and the deal contains a team option for 2026 at the same price. The deal also includes a $1 million buyout, which guarantees the Orioles will pay Kittredge at least $10 million for his services.

For now, the expectation is that Kittredge will work in high-leverage spots in the bullpen, though Felix Bautista should still get most of the work in the 9th inning assuming he’s healthy. Kittredge has just 16 saves in his eight-year MLB career but a combined 2.47 ERA in his last 182 innings suggests he’s capable of working in whatever role the Orioles need him in.

Orioles add Andrew Kittredge to the 40-man roster, DFA catcher Blake Hunt

As a result of the Kittredge deal, the Orioles 40-man roster was at 41 players. On Monday afternoon, it was announced that catcher Blake Hunt was the roster casualty stemming from the Kittredge move.

Hunt had been acquired in May of 2024 from the Mariners. Baltimore had sent Mike Baumann and Michael Pérez to Seattle in the deal, and kept Hunt in their minor league system for the remainder of the year.

The righty hit a dismal .179/.219/.278 in 160 plate appearances at Triple-A Norfolk, a truly disappointing result for him after he tore up Triple-A Tacoma while with Seattle earlier in the year.

Hunt was originally a 2nd round draft pick by the Padres out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA back in 2017. Though he has 7 professional seasons under his belt, he’s still yet to make his major league debut. It remains to be seen whether he’ll stick around in the Orioles organization or if Mike Elias has plans to try to trade him away.

The move leaves the Orioles with just two catchers on the 40-man roster. Adley Rutschman will get the lion’s share of playing time behind the plate in 2025, with recent free agent signing Gary Sanchez backing him up in Baltimore. Samuel Basallo is in Triple-A but got just 86 plate appearances there last year and will surely begin the season in Norfolk.

David Bañuelos is on the roster as well, with an invite to spring training. Bañuelos came to Baltimore last winter by way of Minnesota and though he’s not an exciting prospect, he could be one of the first guys called upon if the Orioles need an injury replacement next year.