Craig Kimbrel’s return to the Atlanta Braves didn’t last long. After throwing one scoreless inning for the club in Friday’s extra-innings loss to the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta designated the righty for assignment on Saturday. In a corresponding move, left-hander Austin Cox was recalled.
Kimbrel signed a minor league deal with Atlanta during spring training and made his first appearance with the team in a decade in Friday’s series opener against the Giants. The veteran came back already a certified Braves legend. From 2010-14, Kimbrel recorded 186 saves for Atlanta, a franchise record.
The #Braves today recalled LHP Austin Cox to Atlanta and designated RHP Craig Kimbrel for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 7, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Craig Kimbrel DFA by Braves After One Game
Kimbrel’s Performance vs. Giants
The righty found success on the mound Friday but was unable to live up to his former dominance. The 37-year-old Kimbrel took the mound in the seventh inning and allowed a single and a walk. His caught stealing and pickoff served as highlights of his sole inning on the mound, and he ended the seventh with a strikeout.
However, Kimbrel’s velocity demonstrated that his best days may be behind him. While he once threw 97-98 mph fastballs and struck out nearly 40% of batters faced, he utilized a sinker on Friday, which averaged 91.7 mph and maxed out at 92.8 mph.
“He kind of lucked out of it a little bit,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Kimbrel’s appearance. “I’m glad he got through it. It was good to get him out there for the first time.”
Atlanta’s Bullpen Shortcomings
The Braves fell 5-4 to the Giants in 10 innings on Friday. Atlanta has been plagued with a lack of bullpen depth as of late, with Daysbel Hernández on the IL with right forearm inflammation and Raisel Iglesias continuing to struggle, allowing three runs in 2/3 of an inning to blow the Braves’ lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
Despite these shortcomings in the pitching staff, Snitker has determined that Craig Kimbrel is not the answer, resulting in a DFA. Kimbrel established himself as a franchise legend earlier in his career, but no longer has the mechanics to aid a struggling Braves pitching staff.
Photo Credit: © Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The post Craig Kimbrel Designated for Assignment by Braves After Just One Appearance appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.