ANAHEIM, Calif. — The last time Andrew Kittredge pitched in a game for the Rays, Ji-Man Choi and Brett Phillips were in the field behind him, and Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina were in the opposing lineup.
That was only 14-plus months ago (June 7, 2022) but illustrates how much things can change.
Kittredge, 33, is set to return to active duty for the Rays on Friday, having completed his rehab from June 22, 2022, Tommy John surgery (which also included installation of an internal brace and removal of several bone chips) under the supervision of assistant pitching coach Rick Knapp. He was activated Thursday from the 60-day injured list.
“He is excited to be back after a long rehab,” agent Brian Grieper said. “The entire training staff and coaching staff has been tremendous in this process, especially Rick Knapp, who oversaw all of Kitt’s rehab outings. He is looking forward to being a part of what the Rays are doing now and looking to contribute in any manner.”
Kittredge made 15 rehab appearances, starting July 4 with the Florida Complex League for three games, then 12 with Triple-A Durham, where he compiled a 5.40 ERA; six of the eight runs he allowed came in one game. Six of his last seven outings were scoreless.
The Rays are likely to try and ease Kittredge, a 2021 All-Star, back into high-leverage duty. Pete Fairbanks is expected to remain the de facto closer, with Jason Adam and lefty Colin Poche handing setup work.
Reliever Hector Perez, who was called up Wednesday and had a rough outing, was designated for assignment to make room on both the 40- and 26-man active rosters.
Reliever Ryan Thompson, designated for assignment on Thursday to make room for Perez, cleared release waivers and became a free agent.
Big advice for Wander Franco
Hall of Famer David “Big Papi” Ortiz said on a Dominican radio station that he wants to help Rays shortstop Wander Franco navigate his current situation — which is being on the restricted list while being investigated by Major League Baseball and Dominican Republic authorities over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor. It is not clear whether the two have talked yet.
“When I heard about this situation, I tried to make myself available to Wander to see how I could help him because I really wanted to know what was happening with that boy,” Ortiz said on the radio show Grandes en los Deportes, according to an English translation of an ESPN Deportes story. “I spent a long time talking to Wander at the All-Star Game, I really liked him because he is a good boy, like all youth, but the mission of one as a veteran is to guide those boys, not trample on them or mistreat them.”
No news is expected from the league or the Rays until Monday, which marks the end of Franco’s mutually agreed week-long stay on the restricted list. There is no public timetable for the Dominican process.
Pitching in
Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez will be the starter on a planned bullpen day for the Rays in Friday’s series opener against the Angels, who have lost 11 of 15 since not trading two-way star Shohei Ohtani by the Aug. 1 deadline.
Shawn Armstrong and rookie lefty Jacob Lopez are also available for multi-inning duty.
Given Thursday’s off day, the Rays could have started Zach Eflin on Friday, followed by Tyler Glasnow and Zack Littell over the weekend on regular rest. But they decided to give Eflin and Glasnow an extra day — and with Monday also off — Littell and Aaron Civale two extra days. That is in advance of a stretch that starts Sept. 1 with the Rays playing 17 straight days and 23 games in 24.
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