The Baltimore Orioles are placing pitcher Tyler Wells in the bullpen following the injury to reliever Andrew Kittredge.
Orioles Shuffle Bullpen In Wake Of New Injuries
New manager Craig Albernaz told reporters on Wednesday morning that Kittredge is suffering from right shoulder inflammation. He added that the right-handed reliever is unlikely to be ready for opening day.
Orioles right-hander Andrew Kittredge has right shoulder inflammation and his progression has been slowed, manager Craig Albernaz said. Albernaz said low probability he’s ready for opening day
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) March 4, 2026
“We kind of slowed down his progression,” Albernaz told reporters. “It creeped up his last outing here, and so, we just want to do right by him and make sure we get that knocked out.”
Baltimore is also shifting starter Tyler Wells, who returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025, to the bullpen. It’s unclear if Wells’ move to the bullpen is a direct result of Kittredge’s injury or if it was already determined.
Injuries Continue to Darken Skies for Orioles
The Orioles already got off to a bad start with the injury bug in spring training, having lost infielders Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg. While Holliday is currently rehabbing from a hamate bone injury, Westburg might be out for the year if his UCL tear doesn’t heal.
Closer Felix Bautista will also be absent from the team in 2026 as he recovers from a torn rotator cuff and labrum. The team did avoid an injury to top prospect Samuel Basallo, however, after stretching to make a tag at home plate.
Per Fangraphs, the team’s bullpen is being stretched thin with recent and previous injuries. Despite the signing of Ryan Helsley, Baltimore is turning to Rico Garcia and Grant Wolfram for potential duties.
Tyler Wells And The Prospects Must Step Up
Moving Wells to the bullpen might be the best accidental move the team has made this year. The 31-year-old returned to the Orioles rotation after receiving Tommy John surgery in 2024. He tossed 21.2 innings with 18 strikeouts and two walks with a 2.91 ERA and a 0.877 WHIP.
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz confirmed that Tyler Wells will be in the bullpen to open the season.
Having Wells in the ‘pen could help offset potential loss of Andrew Kittredge (right shoulder inflammation) in the short term.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) March 4, 2026
Wells holds an effective four-seamer and cutter combo, surrendering only two home runs and a combined batting average of around .210. Due to his injury history, moving him to the bullpen might take off some of the strain on his arm. In addition, it could give him a reason to drop his slider, which has been ineffective.
Baltimore also has several internal options in the minors, including Trey Gibson. The 24-year-old has been rather impressive this spring despite surrendering two home runs. He has struck out five and walked only one batter in 5.2 innings of work.
Nestor German could also be an option, tossing four strikeouts over 2.1 innings while surrendering one hit and two walks. Left-handed pitcher Luis De Leon, who has seen limited action this spring, ranks as the team’s number four prospect.
One major issue for the team, however, is that their more tantalizing pitching prospects are still two or three years away. That includes Boston Bateman and Esteban Mejia.
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