The Cubs officially recalled Kimbrel from Triple-A Iowa prior to Thursday's game against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel's long-awaited 2019 debut is finally on tap after the star closer completed a four-appearance conditioning stint in Iowa shortly after signing with the Cubs earlier this month. Given his track record in the ninth inning in addition to his three-year, $43 million contract, Kimbrel is expected to immediately settle in as Chicago's closer. The 31-year-old saw his performance take a dip during his final season in Boston in 2018, but still turned in a stellar 2.74 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 96 strikeouts over 62.1 innings while converting 42 of 47 save chances.

Kimbrel will join the Cubs ahead of Thursday's series finale against the Braves, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel is ready to make his long-awaited 2019 big-league debut after completing his fourth appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, striking out two across a perfect ninth inning. It's unclear if Kimbrel will immediately take over closer duties, but he should get there soon enough.

Kimbrel could join the Cubs during their current homestand, which lasts through Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel completed his fourth appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, recording a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts. The veteran reliever has allowed just one run through 3.2 innings in the minors with four strikeouts, and Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Kimbrel could potentially join the team before the conclusion of its current homestand Thursday, or early on its upcoming road trip. It's unclear if Kimbrel will immediately step into Chicago's closer role, but he should get there soon enough.

Kimbrel is scheduled to make another rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel pitched Friday and Saturday with Iowa, so he'll receive a couple days of rest before his next outing. The Cubs have not announced an official timeline for his return to the majors, but the veteran right-hander could seemingly rejoin the team by the end of the week if his progression continues as planned Tuesday.

Kimbrel is scheduled to make another rehab appearance Saturday at Triple-A Iowa, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After tossing a scoreless inning for Iowa on Friday, Kimbrel will face his first back-to-back test as he gears up for an eventual move to the Cubs' 25-man roster. According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Kimbrel's fastball sat around the 93-to-95 mile-per-hour range during Friday's outing, which is down a few ticks from the 97 mph he averaged with Boston in 2018. While Chicago has yet to outline a formal timeline for Kimbrel's debut with the big club, Bastian posits that it's unlikely the star closer joins the Cubs before their current homestand wraps June 27.

Kimbrel will pitch Friday with Triple-A Iowa, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel struck out one across a scoreless inning during his first appearance with Triple-A Iowa earlier in the week. The reliever will likely make a couple more appearances with Iowa before joining the big-league roster.

Kimbrel is scheduled to pitch Tuesday with Triple-A Iowa, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel completed his second live batting practice session Saturday to clear the way for his return to game action. The 31-year-old is slated for a few tune-up appearances at Triple-A before officially joining the major-league roster.

Kimbrel will throw live batting practice Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel tossed live batting practice Thursday, and he'll throw one more session Saturday before potentially being assigned to Triple-A Iowa, where he'll make at least a few appearances before joining the big-league squad.

Kimbrel will throw live batting practice Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel has been cleared to face hitters after completing a bullpen session with no issues earlier in the week. If all goes well during Thursday's live BP session, Kimbrel could be cleared to join Triple-A Iowa for a few tune-up appearances before making his debut with the Cubs.

Kimbrel completed a bullpen session Monday and could begin throwing live batting practice by the end of the week, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel is at the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona as he progresses towards his return to major-league action after an extended offseason. The 31-year-old could seemingly head to Triple-A Iowa for some tune-up innings next week if all goes well at live batting practice.