MILWAUKEE -- Baltimore Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge was activated off the 15-day injured list, with the right-hander making his season debut Wednesday.
Kittredge, who had been dealing with debridement in his left knee, retired the side in order in the seventh inning of the Orioles' 8-4, 11-inning victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Kittredge, 35, signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Orioles after going 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA and one save in 74 relief appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals last season. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in March.
Kittredge is 23-12 with a 3.43 ERA and 16 saves in 256 appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays (2017-23), Cardinals (2024) and Orioles.
"Just a steady guy, a guy who's been through a lot of big games, a lot of big innings, a lot of moments for a long time in the game on a lot of good teams," interim manager Tony Mansolino said before Wednesday's game. "When he was signed this offseason, it was a big signing for us."
The Orioles made room for Kittredge by optioning right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles had called McDermott up a day earlier to pitch in Tuesday's game. He struck out two while allowing three runs, four hits, including two homers, and five walks over 4 2/3 innings in the Orioles' 5-2 loss to the Brewers.