Kimbrel saved Sunday's 6-3 win over Detroit, walking one while preventing any runs in two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel came into the game with one out and a runner on second to protect a three-run lead and got the final two outs without letting any more runs cross the plate. Though he's made only six appearances, Kimbrel has been clutch with four saves while allowing just one run in 5.2 innings.

Kimbrel picked up a save against the Braves on Monday, hurling a scoreless inning during which he struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel struck out Alex Dickerson to start the frame, but a passed ball allowed Dickerson to reach base. That didn't phase Kimbrel much, as he induced a double play before getting Ozzie Albies to ground out to end the game. The right-hander has secured a save in each of his three appearances this season and has allowed only one run over three innings thus far.

Kimbrel saved Friday's 3-1 win over the Reds, pitching a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Making just his second appearance, Kimbrel made quick work of the bottom of Cincinnati's order in securing his second save. This outing went much smoother than his first last Friday, and he remains the best bet for save opportunities on the Dodgers.

Kimbrel allowed one run on two hits while striking out two batters Friday. He notched a save in the win over Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

The newly-acquired Kimbrel was immediately handed a save chance and converted it despite coughing up an RBI double to Charlie Blackmon. The Dodgers will use the 33-year-old as a traditional closer barring any extended troubles. Prior to him entering in the ninth, Brusdar Graterol, Daniel Hudson and Blake Treinen each tossed a scoreless frame. Kimbrel posted a 2.26 ERA with 24 saves and 100 strikeouts through 59.2 innings with the White Sox and the Cubs last season.

Kimbrel allowed four runs on four hits and struck out one over one-third of an inning in a Cactus League contest against San Francisco on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel's tenure as a Dodger got off to an inauspicious start, as he allowed a hit to each of the first four batters he faced. Two of those left the yard, and he was ultimately charged with four earned runs. The veteran did end his outing on a positive note with a punchout, but it wasn't the type of performance Los Angeles envisioned when acquiring him via trade Friday. Of course, spring training blowups don't tend to mean much in the big picture, and Kimbrel remains penciled in to begin the campaign as the Dodgers' closer.

Kimbrel was confirmed as the Dodgers' closer by general manager Brandon Gomes on Friday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Dodgers intended to go with a committee approach prior to acquiring Kimbrel from the White Sox, and it was at least conceivable that the plan was merely to use Kimbrel as part of that committee. While Kimbrel's 2021 numbers were comparable to those of top incumbent Blake Treinen, he's clearly more comfortable in a traditional closer role. He'll return to that spot after spending the end of last year setting up for Liam Hendriks.

Kimbrel was traded from the White Sox to the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for AJ Pollock, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The presence of Liam Hendriks in Chicago may have made it tough for Kimbrel to add to his 372 career saves, but he should have an easier path to the closer role for his new team. That's not to say it will be completely easy, however, as the Dodgers had talked about using a committee setup and have a strong late-inning option already in Blake Treinen, whose 1.99 ERA last year beat Kimbrel's 2.26 mark. Just how much this deal improves Kimbrel's fantasy value won't become clear until the Dodgers indicate whether he will walk straight into a true closer's role, but almost any situation is better than being stuck behind Hendriks.

Manager Tony La Russa said Saturday that he expects Kimbrel to be on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel's team option for the 2022 season was picked up in early November, but he's still been linked to trade discussions during the offseason. While a trade would likely bolster Kimbrel's fantasy value since the White Sox also have Liam Hendriks in the bullpen, he received a vote of confidence from La Russa as major-league spring training gets underway. After joining the White Sox prior to the trade deadline, the right-hander converted just one of four save opportunities with seven holds while posting a 5.09 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 23 innings across 24 appearances. However, he was electric with the Cubs earlier in the year, converting 23 of 25 save chances with a 0.49 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 36.2 innings. Despite his late-season struggles in 2021, Kimbrel would likely have plenty of job security as another team's closer if the White Sox reverse course and decide to trade him.

Kimbrel's $16 million team option was picked up Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heading into this past season, it would have been something of a surprise to see Kimbrel's option picked up, as he struggled to a 6.00 ERA in 36 innings over the first two years of the deal while walking 14.5 percent of opposing batters. He turned things around dramatically in 2021, however, cutting his walk rate to 9.8 percent en route to a 2.26 ERA. While he's seemingly back in the company of the league's elite relievers, it's worth noting that he posted a 5.09 ERA after a trade to the White Sox compared to an 0.49 ERA before the deal. He also saved just a single game for his new team, with Liam Hendriks still entrenched in the closer role, which puts a significant dent in his fantasy value.

Kimbrel (4-4) allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two in the ninth inning to earn the win over the Red Sox on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel was called upon to close the game out rather than Liam Hendriks and could not get the job done. He allowed a leadoff double before eventually walking two batters to load the bases. The Red sox would end up tying the game at one apiece on a sacrifice fly by Alex Verdugo before Kimbrel punched out Bobby Dalbec to get out of the inning. Fortunately, the White Sox would end up walking it off in the bottom half of the frame to give Kimbrel the win. The 33-year-old has now blown back-to-back save chances but still owns a solid 2.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 91:20 K:BB over 53.2 innings.