Kimbrel hit 98 mph with his fastball in his most recent Cactus League outing Saturday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel said he was pleasantly surprised by the high number on the radar gun, and he retired his three batters in order with two strikeouts. "My ball had some zip on it, had a little more life than it's had so far this spring training," Kimbrel said. "When you can be nice and smooth and easy and try not to do too much, everything works out." The veteran reliever averaged 98.3 mph on his fastball back in 2017, but he's been below 97 mph in his two seasons with the Cubs. He has a 6.00 ERA since coming to Chicago, so the diminished velocity has seemingly had a direct impact on his effectiveness. If Kimbrel has a little more zip in 2021, he could turn things around, but fantasy owners will want to see him string together a handful of good outings before getting too excited.

Kimbrel allowed four runs on two hits and two walks while retiring just two batters in Friday's Cactus League game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

It's been an awful start to the spring for Kimbrel, who has a 30.38 ERA across three appearances (2.2 innings). The veteran reliever is reportedly working through some mechanical issues in camp, so perhaps he can figure things out and right the ship soon, but he's not inspiring any confidence at the moment. If the struggles continue, the Cubs could turn to Rowan Wick (ribs) or Brandon Workman to close out games.

Kimbrel allowed four earned runs on four hits in an inning of work in Friday's Cactus League game against Cleveland. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

This was not the type of Cactus League debut Kimbrel was looking for coming off a 2020 season in which he posted a 5.28 ERA across 15.1 innings. The veteran closer was even worse in 2019, posting a 6.53 ERA in 20.2 innings of work. This is just one outing, of course, but if Kimbrel continues to struggle during spring training, fantasy managers won't have much confidence in him to start the year. The Cubs may also lose confidence quickly, leaving Rowan Wick (ribs) and possibly Brandon Workman as options to take over as the closer at some point.

Kimbrel will likely make his Cactus League debut Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs have ramped up Kimbrel and Jake Arrieta slowly during camp, as both have yet to appear in a Cactus League game. The team is being cautious with its veteran closer and hoping to keep him fresh for the upcoming 162-game slate. Kimbrel has been up and down since coming to Chicago, but he finished 2020 pitching better, so there could be some reason for optimism. That said, fantasy managers have to be open to some degree of risk when drafting Kimbrel given his stats the past few seasons.

Kimbrel was listed as the Cubs' closer by manager David Ross on Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel's pedigree gives him the inside track on the job, though his performance since joining the Cubs in the middle of the 2019 season means his grip on the role may not be too firm. In 36 innings for Chicago, he owns a 6.00 ERA, with his 35.2 percent strikeout rate proving insufficient when combined with a 14.5 percent walk rate and 2.8 HR/9. He can safely be drafted as if he'll be the team's closer on Opening Day following Ross' vote of confidence, especially as top alternative Rowan Wick is dealing with an intercostal strain, but he'll need much better numbers if he's to keep hold of the job.

Kimbrel worked a scoreless ninth inning to notch his second save of the season Saturday in the Cubs' 4-2 win over the Brewers. He gave up two hits and struck out one in the 26-pitch appearance.

EDGE Analysis

With scoreless outings in 10 of his last 11 appearances to go with a 22:7 K:BB in 10.1 innings over that span, Kimbrel appears to have re-entered manager David Ross' circle of trust. While he wasn't at his sharpest Saturday, Kimbrel did well to limit the damage after giving up back-to-back singles to kick off the bottom of the ninth. Jeremy Jeffress still looks like Chicago's top end-game option with a sub-1.00 ERA and seven saves in eight chances on the season, but Kimbrel's strong form of late may have allowed him to move ahead of Rowan Wick on the closer depth chart.

Kimbrel allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief Wednesday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel worked the ninth inning, though it wasn't a save situation with the Cubs down 3-0. While the veteran reliever still has an unsightly 7.36 ERA, he's now posted three straight scoreless innings with six strikeouts since giving up two runs and blowing a save on Aug. 29. Jeremy Jeffress and Rowan Wick have taken over closing duties in Chicago, but if Kimbrel can continue to pitch well, he could still see some high-leverage duty as the Cubs move toward the postseason.

Kimbrel (0-1) took the loss and the blown save in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Cincinnati, pitching two-thirds of an inning and allowing two runs on one hit and three walks while striking out a pair.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel entered the contest on a five-outing scoreless and hitless streak. He was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the final frame but yielded a pair of walks and a single to allow the Reds to tie the game. Kimbrel then loaded the bases with another walk, and Cincinnati subsequently walked off with a win as the result of a wild pitch Kimbrel uncorked while striking out Jose Garcia. The outing was a microcosm of Kimbrel's season thus far -- he has allowed only seven hits while striking out 15 batters over eight innings, but his ERA sits an ugly 10.13 thanks largely to 12 walks and four wild pitches.

Kimbrel hit a batter but struck out the side in a scoreless inning to earn the save in the Cubs' second game of a doubleheader Wednesday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel was called upon to protect a two-run lead, and he turned in a vintage performance to record his first save of the season. The only blip came when he hit Tommy Edman with a pitch, the third batter of the inning. Aside from that, Kimbrel showed improved control, finding the zone with 13 of his 20 pitches while also generating five called strikes and two swinging strikes. Both Rowan Wick and Jeremy Jeffress have served in the closer role since Kimbrel's early struggles, though it's possible that Kimbrel can regain the role, particularly if he can repeat this success.

Kimbrel allowed two earned runs on two hits while retiring just a single batter in a 5-4 win over the Royals Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Leading 5-2, the Cubs decided to let Kimbrel get another shot at the ninth inning, but after allowing a single and a double sandwiched around a strikeout, the veteran got the hook. Kyle Ryan allowed both inherited runners to score but hung on for the save. Kimbrel now has a 32.40 ERA this season, and at this point, it's hard to see him getting many more save opportunities in the near future. Rowan Wick and Jeremy Jeffress figure to benefit.