Report: Braves recalling Kimbrel from Triple-A
The Atlanta Braves are selecting the contract of veteran closer Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A Gwinnett, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
The 37-year-old signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta in spring training. He fared well with the Stripers, recording a 2.00 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 23 strikeouts across 18 innings pitched.
Kimbrel, who spent the first five seasons of his 15-year career with the Braves, is one of the most accomplished closers in MLB history. His 440 saves rank fifth on the all-time leaderboard.
The right-hander will look to get back on track after struggling to a 5.33 ERA (71 ERA+) with six blown saves for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024.
He was an All-Star in 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Kimbrel has also pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres.
Atlanta is also placing Daysbel Hernández on the injured list, recalling Dylan Dodd, and designating Scott Blewett in a corresponding roster shuffle, a source told The Athletic's David O'Brien.
Braves relievers entered Thursday having accrued the third-fewest fWAR in the National League (0.1) and then blew a 10-4 lead in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks that afternoon.