Kimbrel struck out two batters in a perfect fifth inning in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Cubs, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel had appeared in just two games this spring before Tuesday, one being a minor-league contest, and wasn't feeling good about the quality of his pitches. "My breaking ball was good today," he said. "I still have a few clicks on my fastball to find, but overall commanding the ball and getting my breaking ball over for strikes and getting some bite when I needed to." For now, Kimbrel will be used in the role he's most familiar: closing games in the ninth inning. Earlier in the spring, manager Alex Cora talked about using Kimbrel in non-save situations -- high-leverage challenges that pop up in the seventh or eighth inning -- but the manager has backed off that play for the time being.

Kimbrel tossed a scoreless inning during Sunday's spring-training finale against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel spent much of spring training away from the team due to personal reasons, but maintained a throwing program. Sunday's outing was his first and only spring outing against major-league opponents. He'll get another inning Tuesday in an exhibition against the Cubs and will be ready for Thursday's opener against the Rays in St. Petersburg.

Kimbrel threw an inning against Orioles' minor leaguers Thursday, Chad Jennings and Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald report.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel looked sharp against some high-level Baltimore prospects, striking out all three batters faced. Only one of them made contact, fouling off a pitch. This was Kimbrel's first game action since returning from personal leave. He's scheduled pitch Sunday and again Tuesday. Both he and the team are confident he'll be ready to go by the start of the regular season.

Kimbrel will throw a batting-practice session Friday, and then likely make his Grapefruit League debut Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Beyond that, Kimbrel will throw in one more spring game Tuesday. He spent about three weeks away from the team while with his daughter, who is recovering from heart surgery. He threw some live batting practices during his three-week sabbatical, and manager Alex Cora is confident two outings are enough for Kimbrel. "Oh, yeah. He's fine right now," said Cora.

Kimbrel (personal) is scheduled to rejoin the Red Sox on Monday and toss a live batting practice session, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boston's closer has been away from the team since Feb. 28 after his four-month-old daughter required emergency heart surgery. With his daughter responding well to the procedure over the past three weeks, Kimbrel is ready to return to work and expected to go through an expedited spring training. Manager Alex Cora said that he expects Kimbrel to be ready for the start of the season, so it doesn't look like there will be any need for the Boston bench boss to tab an interim ninth-inning man.

Manager Alex Cora said Kimbrel (personal) will be ready physically for the start of the regular season regardless of whther he makes it back to spring training, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel has been up in Boston to be with his daughter during her recovery from heart surgery, but has been throwing live batting practice, most recently Thursday. "I just talked to Adam Thomas, one of the trainers. He feels that [Kimbrel] is actually in a better place as far as his strength and his arm than the previous years. So that's a good sign," said Cora. It's quite possible Kimbrel does not pitch in a Grapefruit League game, but it sounds like he'll be ready to go when Boston kicks off the regular season March 29 at Tampa Bay.

Kimbrel's (personal) availability for Opening Day is up in the air, Scott Lauber of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel is away from the team in order to be with his daughter as she undergoes a heart procedure. The right-hander is still throwing bullpen sessions in Boston in order to stay fresh, so he should be ready to go as soon as his personal situation is sorted out. When that is remains to be seen, but manager Alex Cora didn't seem eager to rush Kimbrel away from his daughter when he was asked about the situation Friday. Consider the closer day-to-day for now. If Kimbrel isn't able to travel with the team to Tampa Bay for the opening series, Joe Kelly or Matt Barnes could pose as the interim closer.

Kimbrel (personal) is set to throw a live batting practice session Thursday in Boston, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel remains away from the team while tending to his daughter, who is recovering from a second heart surgery that she underwent a couple days ago. The reliever was able to throw a bullpen last week and looks to be in top shape heading into Opening Day.

Kimbrel (personal) remains away from the Red Sox, but threw a bullpen session Wednesday in Boston, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel is back in Boston to be on hand for his daughter's surgery for a heart defect. He had a radar gun clocking his bullpen session at Fenway Park and reports he feels good physically and the arm is where it should be.

Kimbrel has left training camp to be in Boston for his daughter's surgery, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel's daughter was born in November with a heart ailment, and this surgery will be her second. It's unknown how long Kimbrel will be away from the team.