The Cubs reinstated Kimbrel (knee) from the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Sidelined since Aug. 3 with right knee inflammation, Kimbrel ended up missing just two weeks and was cleared to return from the IL without requiring a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand. The Cubs are expected to immediately reinstall him as the team's closer after taking a committee approach to save situations while he was sidelined.

Kimbrel (knee) will likely be activated from the injured list Sunday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Prior reports indicated Kimbrel would either be activated or sent on a rehab assignment Saturday, but it sounds like it will be Option C -- Kimbrel returning Sunday without a rehab assignment. Look for Kimbrel to immediately reclaim closer duties following the brief absence, pushing Pedro Strop back to a setup role.

Kimbrel (knee) will either be activated or sent on a rehab assignment Saturday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's decision time, apparently, but it's unclear what will factor into the decision. Kimbrel will be the Cubs' closer if he is activated in Pittsburgh.

Kimbrel (knee) will throw another bullpen session Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday's session will mark Kimbrel's second bullpen since landing on the injured list with right knee inflammation earlier in August. The reliever will be reevaluated Friday and could be cleared to return shortly thereafter if he checks out OK. Pedro Strop should continue to see the majority of save opportunities for the Cubs until Kimbrel is back.

Kimbrel (knee), who is with the Cubs on this current road trip, is expected to throw another bullpen session later this week and thinks he could be activated in a few days if everything progresses as planned, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

He won't be activated when first eligible Wednesday, but it sounds like he could return this weekend against the Pirates. In the meantime, Pedro Strop is the de facto closer in this injury-depleted bullpen.

Kimbrel (knee) is expected to join the Cubs in Philadelphia, though he won't be activated immediately, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel is expected to test his injured hamstring in Philadelphia by tossing a bullpen, and a timetable for his return should become more clear shortly after. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, he's unlikely to be activated when first eligible Wednesday.

Kimbrel was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with right knee inflammation, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel apparently felt discomfort after his most recent outing, during which he allowed one hit and struck out a batter en route to picking up his ninth save of the season Saturday against the Brewers. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the anticipation is that the veteran reliever won't be forced to spend much more than the minimum 10 days sidelined. Duane Underwood was summoned from the minors to take Kimbrel's place on the roster, while Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler are candidates to fill in for Kimbrel in the ninth inning.

Kimbrel worked a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

After retiring the first two batters to start the inning, Kimbrel allowed a double to Eric Thames. However, the right-hander struck out Orlando Arcia to end the game. It's been a little bit of a struggle for Kimbrel in his first 12.2 innings with the Cubs, as he's posted a 5.68 ERA and a 17:8 K:BB. Nevertheless, Kimbrel has converted nine of 11 save chances overall and is locked in as the Cubs' closer.

Kimbrel worked around two hits to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Cardinals. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

After starting the ninth inning with a strikeout, Kimbrel got into some trouble by allowing a single and a double, which put the tying runs into scoring position. However, the closer wiggled out of trouble by inducing a groundout and then striking out Yairo Munoz to end the game. It's been a bumpy ride for Kimbrel in his first 11.2 innings with the Cubs, as he's sitting with a 6.17 ERA and two blown saves in 10 chances. But given his pedigree and what Chicago paid to acquire him, expect the veteran to have a long leash.

Kimbrel (0-2) allowed three runs on two hits (two homers) with one walk and zero strikeouts without recording an out during a non-save situation in a 5-3 loss against the Brewers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

This was just the second time in Kimbrel's career and the first time since May 7, 2013, that he allowed two homers in an outing. Christian Yelich started the 10th with a homer, and then after a walk, Keston Hiura won it with another blast. This breaks a streak of eight straight innings without giving up a run for Kimbrel, but because he has such a small sample and didn't record an out Saturday, his ERA spiked back up to 6.75. He is 7-for-9 in save chances with a 1.69 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 10.2 innings this season.