Deeper bullpen gives Orioles options to replace Kittredge

SARASOTA—When Orioles manager Craig Albernaz announced that Andrew Kittredge was unlikely to be available for Opening Day because of right shoulder inflammation, it changed the composition of the team’s bullpen and opened another job.

Ryan Helsley is set to be the team’s closer. Albernaz confirmed what was already suspected that Tyler Wells was going to the bullpen.

However, Wells, who could pitch in a variety of roles, might become an eighth- or even ninth-inning reliever on days Helsley isn’t available.

“A high-functioning bullpen can start to form is where you have guys that are Swiss Army knives that can do a lot of stuff and Wells fits that mold,” Albernaz said.

Helsley, Wells, Yennier Cano and left-handers Keegan Akin and Dietrich Enns look to have roles secured. Rico Garcia, who’s away playing for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, has three hitless innings and struck out each of the three batters he faced last Saturday.

Garcia had a 2.84 ERA in 20 games for the Orioles late last season.

The four likeliest contenders for the final two spots are Albert Suárez, Grant Wolfram and rookies Cameron Foster and Anthony Nunez.

“All our relievers have stood out to us, the way they’ve been coming in,” Albernaz said after Sunday’s game in Fort Myers.

Suárez, who’s in camp on a minor league contract, has allowed two earned runs on four hits in four innings. He could be handy as a long reliever and an emergency starter.

Wolfram, who has given up just one hit in 2 2/3 innings over three appearances this spring, has been impressive, striking out six of the 10 batters he’s faced.

Last season, Wolfram’s first in the major leagues, he had a 5.40 ERA in 21 games with a 3-1 record. Wolfram struck out 31 in 26 2/3 innings. He’d provide a third left-hander in the bullpen in addition to Akin and Enns.

Foster and Nunez arrived in separate trades with the New York Mets last July. Foster was obtained in the trade for left-hander Gregory Soto. Nunez came for centerfielder Cedric Mullins.

Both are on the 40-man roster and have thrown three scoreless innings, allowing a hit.

Right-handers Yaramil Hiraldo and Jackson Kowar are also on the 40-man roster. So is Jose Espada, who is also playing for Team Puerto Rico. Espada has allowed an unearned run on a hit in three innings.

Wells’ experience seems to set him apart. As a Rule 5 draft pick, Wells worked his way up from the lowest-leverage spot on the 2021 Orioles, a team that lost 110 games.

By September, Wells was the team’s closer and recorded four saves. In 2023, he relieved in five late-season games.

“If they give me the opportunity to go out there and do that, then I’m going to fully embrace that. I’ve always loved those situations in ’21,” Wells said. “They also saw that a little bit in ’23. It’s just where I really enjoy being in the high-pressure spots.”

Wells threw two more scoreless innings on Wednesday, striking out three. In five innings this spring, Wells hasn’t allowed a run and given up one hit, striking out eight. It was the first time this spring he’d thrown multiple innings.

“That was awesome to see from Tyler,” Albernaz said. ‘Changeup was on full display, and he was throwing strikes.”

For now, it doesn’t seem the Orioles are considering two of last season’s starters, Cade Povich and Brandon Young, who are getting starter’s innings in camp.

The bullpen seems much deeper this year than last season.

“It gives them options, and for me to be one of those options and to be relied upon in that way, is exciting to think about,” Wells said.

One reliever who won’t be with the team when the season begins is Félix Bautista, who had rotator cuff and labrum surgery in August and hopes to pitch at some point in 2026.

Bautista began throwing on Tuesday, and Albernaz hopes he follows the team’s guidelines.

“I don’t want him looking too far forward, just have the day in front of you and attack the rehab each day,” Albernaz said.

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