36 Andrew Kittredge RP

Kittredge signed a minor-league deal with the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It looked like he was trending toward Tommy John surgery in mid-August, but it seems like Kittredge was able to make a full recovery from a sprained UCL without going under the knife. He has thrown three full-go bullpen sessions and will report to camp with no restrictions. Kittredge will provide organizational bullpen depth.

Kittredge (elbow) cleared waivers and was released by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 30-year-old was lost for the season due to a UCL injury in August and was set to undergo Tommy John surgery. Kittredge could miss the entirety of the 2021 season while rehabbing the injury.

Kittredge appears to be headed for Tommy John surgery after an MRI revealed a tear in his UCL on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge left his start Tuesday against the Red Sox with the injury after just five pitches, and it turns out those may end up being the last pitches he throws in a big-league game until 2022. A typical recovery timeline from Tommy John surgery would give him at best an outside shot to pitch very late in the 2021 campaign.

Kittredge was diagnosed with a sprained right UCL on Wednesday and placed on the 45-day injured list, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Kittredge left Tuesday's start after just five pitches with what was originally called elbow soreness, but the injury was evidently much more severe than that. The timing of the injury means that Kittredge could technically be eligible to return for the final three games of the year, but the nature of the injury makes that seem highly unlikely. Surgery could potentially be on the table for the righty, though that's yet to be announced.

Kittredge exited Tuesday's game against the Red Sox with right elbow soreness, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old was only five pitches into his start when he was removed with the injury. Kittredge should be considered day-to-day until more information is available on the injury, but he figures to be unavailable for at least a couple days while being evaluated.

Kittredge was removed from Tuesday's game against the Red Sox with an apparent injury, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander allowed one hit and recorded one out in five pitches during his start before being removed with apparent discomfort in his throwing arm. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but the team should provide an official update as he's evaluated.

The Rays will start Kittredge against the Red Sox on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kittredge earned the save in Monday's game in Boston, the first of his career, shutting the door on 16 pitches. Manager Kevin Cash will give the ball right back to him for an inning or two Tuesday before turning things over to the bullpen. Jalen Beeks figures to be available for 30-50 pitches behind Kittredge.

Kittredge, who fired a scoreless two-thirds of an inning during which he allowed one hit in a loss to the Orioles on Friday, now has a 6.00 ERA through his first three appearances.

The right-hander got his season off on the right foot with a pair of scoreless frames versus the Blue Jays on Sunday, but he subsequently was touched up for two earned runs on two hits by the Braves over just one-third of an inning Wednesday. Kittredge has filled an increasingly larger bullpen role over the last three seasons for manager Kevin Cash, topping out at 37 appearances, including seven starts, in 2019.

Kittredge threw live batting practice Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The versatile right-hander was already trending toward a roster spot when spring training was suspended. With manager Kevin Cash allowed to keep up to 30 players active for the first two weeks of the 2020 season, Kittredge's chances of being with the team Opening Day appear even stronger. Additionally, the 30-year-old's ability to potentially fill multiple bullpen roles and also serve as a spot starter in a pinch serve to further his already strong coase.

Kittredge, who generated a 4.50 ERA across five Grapefruit League appearances before spring training was suspended, is likely to garner an Opening Day roster spot due to his versatility, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kittredge was a true jack-of-all-trades asset for manager Kevin Cash last season, logging 37 appearances overall, including seven starts. The right-hander generated a respectable 4.17 ERA and impressive 58:12 K:BB across 49.2 innings, and the 30-year-old was being stretched out some this spring with an eye on having him work in a number of 2020 roles, including spot starter. Kittredge's chances were also likely helped by the recent optioning of Trevor Richards, a pitcher with a similar profile, to Triple-A Durham.

Kittredge, who allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in a Grapefruit League loss to the Blue Jays on Monday, is being stretched out for possible spot starts or bulk-reliever duties this coming season, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's latest outing wasn't as rocky as his line might imply, as Kittredge also rang up five strikeouts. The 29-year-old made 10 starts for the Rays over the last two seasons, but he's still largely operated as a reliever while logging 60 appearances out of the bullpen over that span. His versatility makes him a good fit as either an in-a-pinch member of the rotation or long reliever following an opener, and it's worth noting that prior to Monday's struggles, Kittredge had been in fine form over his first four appearances with a 1.73 ERA and 6:0 K:BB over 5.2 frames.

Kittredge allowed three earned runs on three hits without recording an out as the opener against the Rangers on Wednesday. He did not record any walks or strikeouts and did not factor into the decision.

Kittredge facilitated a quick Rangers comeback from an early 2-0 deficit by falling flat over 20 pitches to open the contest. Kittredge allowed an RBI single to Willie Calhoun before exiting, and the runs that subsequent singles Nomar Mazara and Danny Santana drove in on singles off Jalen Beeks went on Kittredge's ledger as well. The right-hander had allowed just one earned run over his prior four appearances, but Wednesday's meltdown served as his eighth outing with multiple earned runs allowed since the All-Star break.

Kittredge will serve as the opener Wednesday at Texas, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge has a 4.17 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB through 41 innings and has worked as an opener six times this season. Austin Pruitt is expected to follow as the Rays' primary pitcher.

Kittredge will serve as the opener for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge hasn't pitched well lately, posting an 8.31 ERA in 13 innings since the start of August. Austin Pruitt is expected to follow him out of the bullpen.

Kittredge will serve as the opener Thursday at Houston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It will be the fifth time this season Kittredge has worked as an opener. The 29-year-old has a 4.37 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB through 35 innings. Trevor Richards is scheduled to follow as the primary pitcher.

Kittredge will serve as the opener for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge surrendered a run on three hits while fanning one over 2.1 frames in his last appearance as an opener Wednesday against Boston. He'll toss the first inning or two of Tuesday's clash before making way for Ryan Yarbrough.

Kittredge will serve as the opener Wednesday at Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge had seven strikeouts and gave up two runs over three innings as the opener Saturday and has overall been effective for the Rays with a 3.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 26:6 K:BB. Ryan Yarbrough is slated to follow as the bulk reliever versus the Red Sox.

Kittredge struck out seven and allowed two runs on five hits and no walks over three innings in Saturday's 10-9 loss to the Blue Jays.

Serving as the opener, Kittredge gave up two runs on a Randal Grichuk double and a Cavan Biggio home run before completing a scoreless third inning. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old recorded seven strikeouts out of his nine outs, and he now has an impressive 26:6 K:BB over 20.2 innings. The right-hander has been effective and should continue to get plenty of work out of the Rays bullpen.

Kittredge will serve as the opener in Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge has been solid throughout the season, posting a 2.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 17.2 innings over 14 appearances. The right-hander made his first appearance as an opener June 21 against the Athletics, firing a pair of scoreless innings in that contest. Kittredge is likely to only cover an inning or two Saturday before giving way to primary pitcher Jalen Beeks.

Kittredge struck out three and allowed two hits and one walk over two scoreless innings in Friday's win over the Athletics.

The 29-year-old excelled as the opener and has given up just one earned run in 3.2 big-league innings this year. Jalen Beeks, the primary pitcher, allowed home runs in both of the next two innings, so it's impressive that Kittredge was able to limit the Athletics' production. The right-hander has been effective at recording strikeouts and limiting runs with Triple-A Toledo this season, so he could be a prime option to continue serving as an opener in 2019.