Rays recall RHP Andrew Kittredge, option RHP Jake Faria

The Tampa Bay Rays have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Andrew Kittredge from Triple-A Durham, and have optioned right-handed pitcher Jake Faria to the minor leagues. Kittredge will take a spot on the Rays 40-man roster, left vacant by Jose Alvarado — who is currently on the restricted list, although he is working out at the Rays facility in Port Charlotte.

Kittredge joins the Rays for the first time in 2019, after various stints during each of the past two seasons. He pitched in 33 games for Tampa Bay during their 2018 campaign and actually helped pioneer the Opener role for the Rays. However, Kittredge couldn’t produce consistent quality outings for the Rays and spent plenty of time on the shuttle between Durham and Tampa Bay.

He was outrighted off of the 40-man last offseason. However, he remained within the Rays organization and thus far in 2019 with the Durham Bulls, he has been electric, as he has struck out 38.7% of opposing hitters, and walking just 4.2% of them. Meanwhile with the rise of the home run in Triple-A, Kittredge has allowed just 3 home runs over his 37 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched and held opposing hitters to a meager .178 average against him.

Faria heads back down to the Durham Bulls after a brief stay with the Rays. He pitched 1 ¹⁄₃ innings during the game Monday night, allowing three hits, striking out a batter, and walking one, without surrendering a run. While in Triple-A this season, he has gone from a back of the rotation starter to more of a one-to-two inning arm in the bullpen.