Kittredge's surgery, Young's optioning, O'Neill's injury update and today's Orioles-Rays lineups

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge underwent left knee debridement surgery yesterday, with Dr. Leigh Ann Curl handling the procedure in Baltimore.

Kittredge made only one appearance this spring, on Feb. 26 in Bradenton, where he allowed two hits and walked a batter but didn’t surrender a run. He warmed in the bullpen last Saturday but didn’t pitch because of the discomfort.

Manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday that Kittredge, who signed a contract that guarantees $10 million and includes a team option for 2026, would be out for a few months.

A debridement removes dead, infected or damaged tissue from a wound, with the intent to promote healing by eliminating obstacles to tissue regeneration.

Bryan Baker could be the in-house replacement for Kittredge on Opening Day, though it's an open competition and there's also the possibility of a trade or free agent signing.

In other news, pitcher Brandon Young was optioned to minor league camp this morning.

Young allowed two runs in two innings last night in Lakeland, and four runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 this spring. He steps out of the rotation competition.

Tyler O’Neill remains out of the lineup but said this morning that his left rib cage feels much better and he should return Sunday afternoon. The Orioles have split-squad games at home against the Twins and in Clearwater against the Phillies.

O’Neill was scratched from the lineup Thursday night.

“Full workout activity today and hope to play by tomorrow,” he said.

“Just kind of additional soreness that I’m used to post activities, so just want to make sure we’re staying ahead of things, and I feel like it was the right decision the other day. I came back to the yard yesterday feeling a lot better, even more better today, so hopefully we can build on things and be ready to go tomorrow.”

O’Neill can’t name an exact moment when the discomfort first became noticeable, where he felt a pinch or grab in his side. It didn’t happen on a swing.

“Just additional soreness and tightness, just locking up a little bit, so we thought it was the right thing to sit, focus on some additional recovery,” O’Neill said. “Now that if was the season, I would have made sure that I took the necessary precautions, be in the lineup and make sure I’m ready to play that day. But it’s March 6 the other day, so it just wasn’t worth it this early in the season.”

Adley Rutschman is catching Charlie Morton this afternoon against the Rays in Sarasota. Jordan Westburg is back in the lineup at second base, Luis Vázquez is the shortstop again with Gunnar Henderson out, and Colton Cowser is the center fielder.

For the Orioles

Cedric Mullins DH
Adley Rutschman C
Jordan Westburg 2B
Colton Cowser CF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Ramón Laureano RF
Emmanuel Rivera 3B
Daz Cameron LF
Luis Vázquez SS

Charlie Morton RHP

Former Oriole Eloy Jiménez is in the Rays lineup as the designated hitter.

For the Rays

Josh Lowe RF
Eloy Jiménez DH
Curtis Mead 3B
Ben Rortvedt C
Taylor Walls SS
Bob Seymour 1B
Kameron Misner LF
Tanner Murray 2B
Chandler Simpson CF

Zack Littell RHP