Kittredge's $9 million option exercised by Orioles, who decline Mateo's $5.5 million option
The Baltimore Orioles have exercised Andrew Kittredge's $9 million optionNOVEMBER 6 • Associated Press
ANDREW KITTREDGE
4-3 W-L •
0.98 WHIP •
3.40 ERA
4-3 W-L
0.98 WHIP
3.40 ERA
Option for 2026 exercised The Orioles exercised Kittredge's $9 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact 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.
NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Flaherty, Bieber exercise options for 2026 as 9 more players become free agents, raise total to 162
Detroit pitcher Jack Flaherty and Toronto pitcher Shane Bieber have exercised their player options for 2026 instead of becoming eligible for free agencyNOVEMBER 5 • Associated Press
Deadspin | Orioles re-acquire reliever Andrew Kittredge from Cubs Deadspin | Orioles re-acquire reliever Andrew Kittredge from Cubs
NOVEMBER 4 • DEADSPIN.COM
Orioles make bizarre U-turn with Cubs in a trade that defies all logic The Cubs and Orioles decided they didn't like the trade deadline deal they worked out, and Andrew Kittredge has since been dealt back to O's...
NOVEMBER 4 • BIRDSWATCHER.COM
Cubs trade veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge back to the Orioles The Cubs essentially had Kittredge on loan down the stretch and into the playoffs, after acquiring him from Baltimore at the trade deadline.
NOVEMBER 4 • SUNTIMES.COM
Orioles trade for Andrew Kittredge from Cubs, reuniting with reliever A few months ago, the Orioles traded relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge to the Cubs. Tuesday, the Orioles made a trade to bring him back.
NOVEMBER 4 • BALTIMORESUN.COM
Traded back to Orioles The Orioles acquired Kittredge from the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.
Impact 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.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Inability to get runners on base in Game 5 leads to Cubs' exit from postseason
The Chicago Cubs failed to score in the first inning for the only time in the entire NL Division SeriesOCTOBER 12 • Associated Press
Brewers Edge Cubs in Game 5 of NLDS to Earn NLCS Showdown vs. Dodgers
The Milwaukee Brewers shook off their recent history of playoff frustration by beating the Chicago Cubs, 3-1, in the decisive fifth game of...OCTOBER 12 • FOX SPORTS
Brewers beat Cubs 3-1 in Game 5 of NL Division Series to earn NLCS matchup with Dodgers
Andrew Vaughn hit a tiebreaking homer in the fourth inning and William Contreras and Brice Turang also went deep as the Milwaukee Brewers shook off their recent history of playoff...OCTOBER 12 • Associated Press
Records save in postseason win Kittredge recorded the final two outs to earn the save in Thursday's Wild-Card win over the Padres.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Darvish exits early, bats go quiet as Padres get bounced from playoffs with Game 3 loss to Cubs
Yu Darvish made an early exit against his former team, and San Diego’s big bats were a bustOCTOBER 3 • Associated Press
Cubs beat Padres 3-1 to win Wild Card Series, advance to NL Division Series against Brewers
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit an RBI single off a shaky Yu Darvish, and the Chicago Cubs shut down Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres for a clinching 3-1 victory in Game 3 of th...OCTOBER 3 • Associated Press
Machado and Miller star as the Padres beat the Cubs 3-0 in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series
Manny Machado hit a two-run homer, Mason Miller dominated again and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 to send their NL Wild Card Series to a decisive third gameOCTOBER 1 • Associated Press
Counsell shocks with Kittredge opener in Cubs' Game 2 plan | Sporting News Despite pitching in relief yesterday, Andrew Kittredge will start Game 2 for the Cubs this afternoon.
OCTOBER 1 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Last Night in Baseball: Shohei Ohtani Immediately Set The Pace Against the Reds
Shohei Ohtani led off a homer-filled W against the Reds, Tarik Skubal was terrifying against the Guardians, the Red Sox went up on the Yanke...OCTOBER 1 • FOX SPORTS
Cubs look to sweep Padres in NL Wild Card Series
The Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres square off in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card SeriesOCTOBER 1 • Associated Press
Cubs vs. Padres: NL Wild Card Game 2 Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch - Bleacher Nation Andrew Kittredge will take the mound for the Chicago Cubs when they host starter Dylan Cease and the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the NL Wi...
OCTOBER 1 • BLEACHERNATION.COM
Opening Game 2 Kittredge will serve as the opening pitcher in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
Impact 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.
SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE
Suzuki and Kelly Hit Back-To-Back Homers as Cubs Top Padres 3-1 in Playoff Opener
Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 in Game 1 of their NL Wild Car...SEPTEMBER 30 • FOX SPORTS
Suzuki and Kelly hit back-to-back homers as the Cubs top the Padres 3-1 in playoff opener
Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card SeriesSEPTEMBER 30 • Associated Press
Used in seventh inning Tuesday 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.
Impact 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 with Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on 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.
SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE
Grabs fifth save Kittredge earned the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rays, striking out three and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Impact 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.
SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE
Nico Hoerner's 3 RBIs lead Cubs to 4-3 win over fading Rays
Nico Hoerner had three RBIs, including a go-ahead, two-run double in the seventh inning that sparked the Chicago Cubs over the fading Tampa Bay Rays 4-3SEPTEMBER 14 • Associated Press
