The Orioles released Kimbrel on Tuesday, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.
The 36-year-old was designated for assignment by the Orioles last week and will now officially exit the organization. Kimbrel was dominant at times this season as he racked up 23 saves in 29 opportunities, but he surrendered 23 earned runs in his last 19 appearances before Baltimore elected to move on. The right-hander finished with a 5.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 73:31 K:BB across 57 frames and may now find himself at a career crossroads.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Time in Baltimore up
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The Orioles designated Kimbrel for assignment Wednesday.
Kimbrel had an excellent first half as the Orioles closer in posting a 2.80 ERA and 53:16 K:BB over 35.1 innings while notching 23 saves. He has cratered since the All-Star break, however, turning in a 10.59 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 15 walks in 17 frames. Kimbrel was being used in a mop-up role this month, and in his most recent appearance Tuesday, he allowed six runs while recording just two outs. The 36-year-old will eventually be released, with the Orioles on the hook for what remains of his $13 million salary in 2024, as well as a $1 million buyout of his 2025 club option.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Takes loss Saturday
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Kimbrel (7-5) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one over one inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Rockies.
Kimbrel couldn't keep the game tied in the eighth inning in a contest that taxed the Orioles' bullpen following Dean Kremer's exit with a forearm injury. August saw Kimbrel receive little high-leverage work, but he still struggled with seven runs allowed and an 8:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings. He's now at a 4.07 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 67:26 K:BB through 48.2 innings this season. Kimbrel won't be challenging Seranthony Dominguez for the closer role any time soon, though the Orioles' bullpen has been shaky in general for much of the second half.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Nabs win Friday
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Kimbrel (7-4) allowed two hits and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday over the Astros.
Kimbrel was brought into a low-leverage spot with the Orioles trailing by three runs in the eighth inning. He danced around some danger and became the pitcher of record when Baltimore rallied for five runs in its half of the frame. This was Kimbrel's sixth scoreless outing in his last 13 appearances, a lengthy run of erratic form that has cost him the closer job, which is now occupied by Seranthony Dominguez. Kimbrel is at a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 66:26 K:BB with 23 saves, six blown saves and four holds through 46.2 innings, and given his recent struggles, it's unlikely he get a lot of high-leverage looks in the near future.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Yields game-winning run
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Kimbrel (6-4) took the loss Sunday against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on no hits and three walks (one intentional) across one inning. He struck out two.
Kimbrel entered Sunday's contest in the eighth inning with the score tied 1-1 but couldn't keep the Rays off the board, winding up with the loss. He struggled to find the strike zone early, walking leadoff hitter Brandon Lowe on six pitches and walking Christopher Morel on four pitches a batter later. Kimbrel couldn't hold either baserunner, with Lowe immediately taking second, before a double-steal left Morel and Lowe in scoring position. Looking for a double-play ball, Kimbrel intentionally walked Josh Lowe. However, Curtis Mead delivered the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. Kimbrel has surrendered at least one run in four of his last seven appearances and hasn't generated a save since July 7. The Orioles have looked elsewhere during the ninth inning in the wake of the 36-year-old's inconsistency, as Seranthony Dominguez picked up the save Saturday even though Kimbrel hadn't pitched in three days.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Falters in non-save situation
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Kimbrel (6-3) took the loss Friday versus the Padres, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out one over one inning.
Kimbrel's going through another bout of poor pitching -- he's allowed eight runs (six earned) over his last 3.2 innings, taking two blown saves in that span. Friday's collapse came in a tied game, as he was taken deep by Jurickson Profar for a two-run home run. Kimbrel is now at a 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB over 38 innings with 23 saves, four holds and six blown saves this year. If his struggles continue, he may be moved to low-leverage assignments briefly as he was in late April and early May. Should that happen, Yennier Cano, Jacob Webb and Seranthony Dominguez would be candidates to pick up the slack in the ninth inning.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Blows save Thursday
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Kimbrel blew a save against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.
Kimbrel came on in the ninth frame to try to protect a three-run lead but couldn't get the job done. After retiring the first batter he faced, the veteran closer gave up a pair of singles followed by a walk, then saw a run cross the plate on a fielding error behind him. A sacrifice fly and another single resulted in two more runs, the latter of which tied the game. Kimbrel has now blown two straight save chances and has given up six runs (four earned) over his past 2.2 innings, though he's pitched well enough overall this season to still have control of the closer role for Baltimore.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Falters into sixth win
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Kimbrel (6-2) blew a save but picked up the win Sunday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks over one inning against the Yankees. He struck out one.
Kimbrel came on in the ninth looking for his 24th save but quickly blew that opportunity by allowing a couple of walks followed by a three-run homer by Ben Rice. To his credit, Kimbrel then retired the next three batters, making him the pitcher of record when the Orioles completed their own comeback in the bottom of the inning. Despite Sunday's outing, Kimbrel has been highly effective in his first season with the Orioles, entering the All-Star break with six wins, 23 saves, a 2.80 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 39 appearances spanning 35.1 innings.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Lands 23rd save
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Kimbrel picked up the save Sunday, allowing one hit and no walks with two strikeouts across a scoreless inning against Oakland.
Kimbrel has now fired seven consecutive scoreless frames, going 7-for-7 in save chances during that stretch to bring his season total up to 23 saves. The 36-year-old fell to a 4.73 ERA after his first 16 appearances of 2024, but has been dominant since, recording a 0.43 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 21.0 innings.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Locks down 22nd save
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Kimbrel picked up the save in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Athletics. He pitched a clean inning with two strikeouts.
The veteran closer extended his scoreless appearances streak to six with this performance, promptly retiring the side on a tidy 10 pitches. Kimbrel stands fourth all-time in career saves with 439, needing 40 more to pass Lee Smith for third. The Baltimore right-hander has been nearly untouchable since May 10, firing a 0.45 ERA, 0.25 WHIP and 29:5 K:BB across 20 innings while securing 14 saves.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Strikes out two for 21st save
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Kimbrel picked up the save over the Mariners on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out two.
Kimbrel entered the contest with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and fanned the first two batters he faced before getting Julio Rodriguez to pop out to first for the final out. The veteran reliever has converted each of his last five save attempts, posting a 9:3 K:BB over that stretch while not allowing any hits. Kimbrel has also recorded two or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Collects 20th save
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Kimbrel hit two batters and struck out two in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Mariners.
Kimbrel was a little wild, but he didn't let the extra traffic on the bases rattle him. After allowing just two runs (one earned) over 9.1 innings in June, he's off to a decent start in July, with this outing also being his 20th save of the campaign. Overall, he's at a 2.30 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB through 31.1 innings this year.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Works around two walks for save
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Kimbrel worked around two walks in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.
Kimbrel, who hadn't walked multiple batters in an outing since May 8, was able to pitch his way out of trouble. He's allowed two runs (one earned) while posting a 13:5 K:BB over 9.1 innings in June, converting six of his seven chances this month. Kimbrel is up to 19 saves with a 2.37 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 44:14 K:BB through 30.1 innings overall. Kimbrel has pitched three of the last four days, so he may not be available if a save situation arises Sunday. With Jacob Webb, Yennier Cano and Cionel Perez also having pitched Friday and Saturday, there could be an opportunity for Dillon Tate or Bryan Baker to get a look in a high-leverage spot.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Earns 18th save
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Kimbrel earned a save against the Rangers on Friday, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Kimbrel was called upon to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning and did so with two strikeouts and a groundout. The veteran has rebounded from a blown save June 19 with two straight scoreless conversions. On the season, he is 18-for-22 in save chances with a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB over 29.1 innings.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Notches save Wednesday
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Kimbrel earned a save against the Guardians on Wednesday, walking one batter and striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.
Kimbrel issued a two-out walk but otherwise overpowered Cleveland with three punchouts. The veteran closer rebounded well after blowing a save against the Yankees during his previous trip to the mound. Kimbrel is 17-for-21 in save chances on the season and has registered an elite 13.3 K/9 while posting a 2.54 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 28.1 innings.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Blows save, picks up fifth win
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Kimbrel (5-2) earned the win and blew a save against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits with a strikeout in the ninth inning.
Kimbrel was called upon to protect a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning but allowed a leadoff double by Anthony Volpe and a game-tying single by Giancarlo Stanton. He was able to keep the game tied and the Yankees won in the 10th inning to earn Kimbrel the win. Until Wednesday, Kimbrel had not allowed an earned run since May 8 or blown a save since April 28. On the season Kimbrel is now 16-for-20 in save chances and owns a 2.63 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 39:11 K:BB over 27.1 innings.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Nails down 16th save
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Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 16th save of the season in a 4-2 win over Atlanta.
Facing the team he made his debut with back in 2010, Kimbrel delivered his 12th straight appearance without allowing an earned run. The hot streak has lowered the veteran closer's ERA on the season to 2.59, to go along with a 0.95 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB through 24.1 innings.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Secures 15th save
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Kimbrel picked up the save in Monday's 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay. He pitched a scoreless inning allowing no hits and one walk with two strikeouts.
Trouble seemed to be brewing in the ninth for Kimbrel as he issued a leadoff walk to Amed Rosario, his first free pass allowed since May 8. However, the veteran closer collected himself, punching out two batters before wrapping up the Baltimore win by inducing a Jose Caballero popup. Including this effort, Kimbrel has pitched 11 consecutive outings without allowing an earned run, firing 10 innings with a 0.30 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Notches 14th save
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Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 14th save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Rays. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
The veteran closer let his defense do the work, getting outs on a flyball, a groundball and a popup in foul territory. Kimbrel hasn't been tagged with an earned run in 10 straight appearances, converting all six of his save chances during that stretch with a 10:0 K:BB as he puts his early season struggles behind him.
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Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Handed loss Wednesday
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Kimbrel (4-2) allowed an unearned run on two hits over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to hand Kimbrel his first loss since April 28. This also ended Kimbrel's scoreless streak at 7.2 innings, though he hasn't given up an earned run since May 8. The closer has a 2.95 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 31:9 K:BB and 13 saves in 16 chances through 21.1 innings this season.
