Kimbrel (4-1) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings victory over the Diamondbacks, striking out one in a scoreless 11th inning.

EDGE Analysis

He did hit Christian Walker with his first pitch of the frame, but Kimbrel quickly escaped the jam by fanning Jake McCarthy and then inducing a double play grounder from Eugenio Suarez. The veteran relievers then got rewarded when Jordan Westburg walked it off in the bottom of the inning. Yennier Cano worked the ninth inning at home in a tie game -- usage normally reserved for a team's closer -- while Danny Coulombe handled the 10th, so Kimbrel may not be back in the top spot in the O's bullpen just yet, but efforts like this should help him get there.

Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect seventh inning Friday to record his third hold of the season in a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old reliever didn't exactly get deployed in the highest-leverage spot, as he faced Arizona's 8-9-1 hitters, but Kimbrel got the job done on an efficient 12 pitches (eight strikes). He topped out at 94.5 mph with his fastball though -- he averaged 95.9 mph last season -- and it was only the second time in Kimbrel's last seven appearances that he avoided giving up a run. Yennier Cano got the save in the ninth inning, and that figures be the arrangement for a while until Kimbrel demonstrates his struggles are behind him, although other relievers like Danny Coulombe could also be in the saves mix. Over those last seven appearances, Kimbrel has a 10.13 ERA, 3.19 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB in 5.1 innings.

Kimbrel was pulled in the ninth frame of Wednesday's game against the Nationals and was charged with two runs on two walks and a hit over two-thirds of an inning, though he was credited with a hold.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel was called upon to protect a two-run ninth-inning lead and initially appeared set to do so with little trouble, as he retired the first two batters he faced. However, Eddie Rosario then tagged the veteran closer for a solo home run, and Kimbrel followed with two straight walks before he was given the hook. Keegan Akin allowed one of the inherited runners to score, thus sending the game into extra frames. Though Kimbrel was credited with a hold, he was pulled in a save situation in the ninth inning for his second straight outing, so his hold on the closer role for Baltimore could be getting tenuous. Over his past five contests, Kimbrel has blown two saves in addition to being pulled from a save situation on two occasions, and he's allowed six earned runs while posting a 4:7 K:BB across 2.1 innings during that stretch.

Kimbrel was pulled from a save situation in the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the Reds. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter in one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

The Cincinnati offense had been quiet all night until Kimbrel gave the home team some life in the bottom of the ninth. He allowed three of the four batters he faced to reach base, prompting the hook from manager Brandon Hyde. Yennier Cano took over and closed the door to earn his first save of the season. Kimbrel earned the save Friday in his return following a brief absence due to back tightness, but he had squandered back-to-back save chances before that and Saturday's slip-up puts him on notice with a high-end arm in Cano representing a viable alternative to Kimbrel in the ninth.

Kimbrel earned the save in Friday's 3-0 win over Cincinnati, striking out three in a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

It was Kimbrel's first appearance in five days, as the veteran right-hander was dealing with back soreness. He certainly didn't show any signs of rust Friday, striking out the side to close out a shutout victory for his eighth save this season. Kimbrel had blown consecutive save chances before he was sidelined, allowing three runs in just a third of an inning. He now sports a 2.92 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB across 12.1 innings this season.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Kimbrel (back) is available as the Orioles' closer Friday in Cincinnati, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.comreports.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old hasn't seen the field since his back acted up Sunday against the A's, but he's ready to go after resting up over the past few days. Kimbrel allowed three runs and recorded just one out while blowing saves in each of his past two outings, though the injury may have played a role in those results. He has a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over 11.1 innings for the season.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he's not sure whether Kimbrel (back) will be available to pitch Wednesday versus the Yankees, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hyde said something similar prior to Tuesday's game and Kimbrel did not appear in that contest. It's possible the skipper is just practicing some gamesmanship here so that the Yankees have less information to work with, but either way it doesn't sound like there will be clarification prior to Wednesday's game. If Kimbrel is indeed unavailable again, Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe are candidates for saves.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Kimbrel is receiving treatment for his back, and it's unclear if the closer will be available for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old was labeled day-to-day after he exited Sunday's game against the A's with back tightness, and his availability for Tuesday remains up in the air. Yennier Cano is the likely candidate to step in for a save chance should Kimbrel be unavailable, although Danny Coulombe got the save Monday.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that Kimbrel (back) is considered day-to-day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel failed to record an out and was charged with two earned runs and his second consecutive blown save in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Athletics before being lifted from the contest due to upper-back tightness. The team is hopeful that Kimbrel can avoid a stint on the 15-day injured list, but he presumably won't be available Monday against the Yankees, and potentially a few more days beyond that. Yennier Cano is the favorite to close for the Orioles while Kimbrel recovers.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Kimbrel was removed from Sunday's game against the A's due upper-back tightness, though the skipper isn't sure if the injury will be an ongoing issue, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel suffered his second straight blown save Sunday as he allowed a walk and a two-run homer to the only two batters he faced before he exited with the injury. The 35-year-old will continue to be evaluated over the next couple of days, and it remains to be seen if a trip to the injured list will be necessary.