Andrew Kittredge's Triple-A rehab means a big boost soon for Rays' bullpen

The Tampa Bay Rays announced earlier in the week that right-handed relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge will begin rehab with the Durham Bulls en route to his major league return. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery from an elbow injury he suffered in 2022.

In 2022, the reliever had just 17 appearances. But, he was looking well-disciplined on the mound with just two walks given up while facing 75 batters. He also had a decent ERA of 3.15.

His 2021 All-Star season was all the more impressive, he posted a 1.88 ERA with a 9-3 record in 71.2 innings pitched. During this stretch of play, he finished with 77 strikeouts and walked only 15 batters while facing 282 all year. He also did not give as many home runs, allowing only seven during that season.

In the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Kittredge also had WHIPs below 1.000 (0.977 in 2021 and 0.850 in 2022).

Andrew Kittredge will help Rays' woeful late-innings issue

This addition back into the bullpen really helps Tampa Bay a ton. He has experience with winning for a good amount of time within the organzition and can help a lineup that is tied for the fifth-worst blown save rate in MLB. He was putting up really good numbers before the elbow injury that has sidelined him for some time.

His presence should help manager Kevin Cash with choosing who comes in relief in critical moments of games. It epsecially will help now that teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers have caught the Rays for the lead in the American League.

According to CBS Sports, Kittredge is expected to play at least a week for the Bulls in Durham before making his return for the Rays.