PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge is hopeful that the shoulder inflammation that’s shut him down in camp will become only a mild inconvenience in his preparation for the 2026 season.

Kittredge made his only exhibition appearance on Feb. 25 against the Rays and retired one batter. He surrendered a three-run homer to Jonny DeLuca and his sinker velocity was noticeably lower than usual.

Manager Craig Albernaz confirmed yesterday that Kittredge was experiencing discomfort in the shoulder, would be placed on a “slow progression,” and was graded as “a low probability” to be ready for Opening Day.

“I really don’t think it’s all that serious, just in conversations we’ve had with the training staff,” Kittredge said this morning at his locker. “It was more just kind of barking a little bit after that game last Wednesday, I think it was, and just kind of trying to slow down the ramp up a little bit.

“Every conversation that I’ve had with the docs and training staff, it just doesn’t seem like anything real serious. I think it just got to the point where it was working backwards from the date of Opening Day to now, it kind of just became more of a question mark of whether or not I could be ready. So I think it’s just more like cautionary at this point.

“I think the timeline, I don’t think it’s out of the realm that it would be close to Opening Day, but it’s just unlikely to be Opening Day.”

Kittredge felt the discomfort and said it probably had an impact on his delivery, making him tweak his mechanics at times.

“When I got into camp it was feeling pretty good, but just kind of over the first two weeks, it just kind of slowly got a little crankier, and then the game action did a little more to it than I would have liked,” he said. “But everything that I’m talking with with the training staff, everything seems like very encouraging, and I’m encouraged. Even based off yesterday, I just like where I’m at as far as going forward now.”

Kittredge came back to the Orioles in a November trade with the Cubs after they parted with him at the deadline. His $9 million option was exercised and he’s counted on to serve as a sturdy bridge to new closer Ryan Helsley.

A left knee debridement last spring pushed back Kittredge’s Orioles debut until the third week in May. He hasn’t experienced this degree of shoulder discomfort in past years.

“Not particularly this,” he said. “I’ve had kind of symptoms in the same spot before and just managed it. … Not to this extent necessarily, but just a little cranky.”

Kittredge’s eventual move to the 15-day injured list opens a spot for another reliever, but he doesn’t expect to be gone for long.

“I’m very encouraged. I’m not really at all concerned about this being a long stint or anything,” he said.

“I think we’re shooting to start throwing again soon and get into games before camp’s over with. I’m not entirely sure what that looks like or when that might be, but that is the plan. I don’t think it should be too long down before we’re ramping back up again.”

Orioles pitchers listed behind starter Zach Eflin today include Cameron Foster, Anthony Nunez, Jackson Kowar, Enoli Paredes, Andrew Magno and Eric Torres.

The list of extras from minor league camp doesn’t include outfielder Vance Honeycutt, who’s 4-for-4 with four home runs and a walk this spring. He’s “Home Game” Honeycutt.

Chris Bassitt starts Friday against the Cardinals in Sarasota. Left-hander Luis De León starts Saturday’s split-squad game against the Braves in North Port, and left-hander Cade Povich starts against the Twins in Sarasota.