The Orioles exercised Kittredge's $9 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Orioles reacquired Kittredge from the Cubs earlier this week after dealing him to Chicago at the deadline, so it was a foregone conclusion that the reliever's option would be picked up. Kittredge posted a 3.40 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 64:11 K:BB over 53 regular-season innings between the Orioles and Cubs in 2025. He'll be a high-leverage reliever for Baltimore in 2026 and could even serve as closer, depending on what else the Orioles do with their bullpen this offseason.

The Orioles acquired Kittredge from the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

EDGE Analysis

Kittredge was dealt from the Orioles to the Cubs at the trade deadline and is now headed back to Baltimore. The Orioles have a $9 million option on Kittredge for 2026, which they will now presumably exercise. Kittredge posted a 3.40 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 64:11 K:BB over 53 regular-season innings between the Orioles and Cubs in 2025. Baltimore has an opening at closer for 2026 and Kittredge could be the current favorite to fill it, though the team is likely to add additional relievers this offseason.

Kittredge recorded the final two outs to earn the save in Thursday's Wild-Card win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Kittredge played a versatile role for the Cubs during their series against the Padres, as he served as the opener in Game 2. One day later, he relieved Brad Keller in the ninth inning with the game-tying run at second base. Kittredge has allowed one earned run across 2.2 innings this postseason.

Kittredge will serve as the opening pitcher in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kittredge turned in a 3.32 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 21.2 innings in the regular season with the Cubs while serving primarily as a high-leverage reliever. The 35-year-old righty will now be tasked with securing the first few outs of Wednesday's contest before presumably handing the game over to Shota Imanaga for bulk-relief work.

Kittredge worked a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Pirates, though it was Brad Keller who got the ninth and the save.

EDGE Analysis

Keller earned a one-out save Monday and then received a more conventional opportunity a night later, with Kittredge working the seventh inning. Kittredge recorded the Cubs' first three saves after Daniel Palencia (shoulder) hit the injured list, but it appears that Keller is in the closer mix as well. That gives both veteran relievers a temporary boost in fantasy value, though it may be hard to predict who manager Craig Counsell will turn to in the ninth for any given contest. Kittredge has at least earned the opportunity for more high-leverage work, as he has a 2.89 ERA and 26 strikeouts across 18.2 innings with Chicago since joining the team at the trade deadline.

Kittredge earned the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rays, striking out three and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Kittredge was brought in to protect a one-run lead and worked around a two-out walk to Yandy Diaz by fanning Junior Caminero to shut the door against his former team. It marked the right-hander's third straight outing with a save and extended his scoreless streak to eight appearances. The veteran reliever now owns five saves on the year while continuing to provide the Cubs with steady late-inning work.

Kittredge picked up the save Friday against the Rays, recording one strikeout while retiring all three batters he faced.

EDGE Analysis

It's the second straight outing with a save for Kittredge, who appears to be manager Craig Counsell's top choice at closer with Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on the shelf. Brad Keller also seemed to be in the closer mix but has worked the eighth inning ahead of Kittredge in those two games.

Kittredge picked up the save Wednesday against Atlanta, striking out one in a clean ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

It's notable that Kittredge saw Chicago's first save opportunity since closer Daniel Palencia (shoulder) landed on the injured list. That usage would appear to put him first in line for future save chances, though it's certainly still possible that manager Craig Counsell has a committee approach in mind for his closer position for the time being. Kittredge is worth a speculative add in most fantasy formats as this situation unfolds -- the veteran right-hander owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 52:10 K:BB through 47.0 innings on the season.

With Daniel Palencia (shoulder) landing on the injured list Monday, Kittredge is an option to see more high-leverage work at the end of games, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sharma notes that Chicago manager Craig Counsell is likely to deploy a committee approach to the ninth inning with Palencia out, rather than settle on a single closer. Kittredge is in that mix, though fellow righty Brad Keller might be a bit ahead of him in the bullpen pecking order and is probably the favorite for saves at the moment. The Cubs also have Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz as options from the left side. Kittredge probably will get a bump in fantasy value with Palencia out, but it remains to be seen exactly what the former's role will be.

Kittredge (4-3) tossed a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts to earn the win in Monday's 7-6, extra-inning victory over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Kittredge was tasked with working the top of the 10th inning, and he breezed through the frame on 13 pitches. The righty then earned his second win with his new team when Carson Kelly delivered a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th. Since joining the Cubs at the trade deadline, Kittredge has a 4.15 ERA and 17 strikeouts across 13 innings, and he's settled into a setup role ahead of closer Daniel Palencia.