Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Tue 2/27/24 8:22 AM

Kimbrel (quadriceps) expects to make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The veteran closer had to cut a live batting practice session short over the weekend due to quad soreness, but he faced hitters Monday and reported feeling "great" Tuesday morning. With that, he appears to be in the clear for his debut in an Orioles uniform. Kimbrel signed a one-year, $13 million deal in December to replace the injured Felix Bautista (elbow) in the ninth inning.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Sun 2/25/24 9:10 AM

Kimbrel cut his session of live batting practice short Saturday due to quadriceps soreness, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, and the veteran closer is penciled in to throw again Monday. Assuming Kimbrel experiences no further issues, it shouldn't be long before he's cleared for game action.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Wed 12/6/23 3:41 PM

The Orioles signed Kimbrel to a one-year, $13 million contract Wednesday with a $13 million club option for 2025, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was first to pass along word that a deal was close, and now it's all official after Kimbrel passed his pre-signing physical. The veteran reliever registered a steady 3.26 ERA with 94 strikeouts across 69 regular-season innings for the Phillies in 2023, also racking up 23 saves. He will now step into the closer role in Baltimore as a replacement for Felix Bautista, who is slated to miss the entire 2024 campaign as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Wed 12/6/23 9:35 AM

Kimbrel is close to an agreement with the Orioles, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Joel Sherman reported Tuesday night that talks between the two sides were picking up steam and it appears they're now nearing the finish line. It's unclear at this point what the details of the contract could look like. Kimbrel would presumably take over as closer for the Orioles with Felix Bautista (elbow) set to miss 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old Kimbrel posted a 3.26 ERA and 94:28 K:BB over 69 innings for the Phillies in 2023, collecting 23 saves along the way.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Wed 10/4/23 12:10 AM

Kimbrel allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of work to finish out the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Marlins in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series.
EDGE Analysis
Kimbrel gave up a double to Josh Bell to put a run in scoring position, but managed to close the door on the Marlin's hopes of coming back in Game 1. In September, Kimbrel had blown two of four save opportunities in 12 innings of work, in spite of his low 1.50 ERA in that stretch. However, the veteran right-hander is now a perfect eight-for-eight in save chances in the postseason, with a 3.96 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 27 strikeouts across 25 career innings.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Sat 9/23/23 12:25 AM

Kimbrel blew the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Mets. He allowed one run on one hit and no walks while striking out one over one inning.
EDGE Analysis
Upon entering the ninth inning with a one run lead, Kimbrel made quick work of Ronny Mauricio, inducing a flyout on three pitches. However, the next batter, Brett Baty, crushed a 432-foot solo shot to hand the Phillies reliever his fourth blown save of the season. Kimbrel hadn't blown a save since Aug. 30 against the Angels, throwing eight scoreless innings over that span. He has produced a 3.27 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 88:28 K:BB and 23 saves over 66 innings this year.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Wed 9/13/23 7:20 AM

Kimbrel (7-6) took the loss in Tuesday's contest with Atlanta. He allowed an unearned run on one hit in one inning.
EDGE Analysis
Kimbrel took an unfortunate loss in the 10th inning, allowing just one single that got past Philadelphia's drawn-in infield to score the automatic runner. Despite the loss, it marked his fifth straight appearance without allowing an earned run. Kimbrel is 23-for-26 in save opportunities this season with a 3.34 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 across 62 innings.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Tue 9/12/23 12:37 AM

Kimbrel picked up the save in Monday's 7-5 win over Atlanta. He allowed one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.
EDGE Analysis
After a Nicky Lopez single with two outs, Kimbrel coaxed a ground out from Ronald Acuna, who represented the tying run, to lock down his 23rd save of the year. Kimbrel's held opponents scoreless in six of his last seven appearances, lowering his ERA to 3.39 with a 1.03 WHIP and 82:24 K:BB across 61 innings this season.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Tue 8/29/23 12:50 AM

Kimbrel picked up the save in Monday's 6-4 win over the Angels with a perfect ninth inning.
EDGE Analysis
Kimbrel made quick work of the Angels on Monday, getting the final three outs on just seven pitches to shut the door on a 6-4 Philadelphia victory. After a few days off following a poor appearance Aug. 23, the veteran closer has converted save opportunities on back-to-back days. Kimbrel is now 7-for-9 in save chances since the All-Star break with a 2.84 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 19 second-half innings.

Craig Kimbrel
RP BAL
Sun 8/27/23 5:17 PM

Kimbrel picked up the save Sunday against the Cardinals. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning.
EDGE Analysis
The Cardinals got the tying run to the plate against Kimbrel in the ninth, but he managed to coax a pop out from Nolan Arenado before striking out Willson Contreras to preserve a 3-0 victory. The save is Kimbrel's first since Aug. 5 -- the veteran closer struggled in his prior outing, allowing a pair of earned runs in an extra-innings loss to the Giants. Overall, Kimbrel's now 20-for-22 in save chances with a 3.27 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 74:21 K:BB across 55 innings this season.