The Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday that they released veteran right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel after recently designating him for assignment. Kimbrel opened the 2024 season as the Orioles' closer and saved 23 games for the second straight season, but the nine-time All-Star also struggled to a 5.33 ERA (4.18 FIP) and a 1.36 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 31 walks in 52 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. Since the All-Star break, he posted an 11.50 ERA (7.44 FIP) with 21 strikeouts and 17 walks in 18 innings over 19 appearances to convince the Orioles to move on. The 15-year MLB veteran is 36 years old and is nearing the end of his career, but he should be able to latch on with another organization for the 2025 campaign if he wants to continue pitching. At this point, though, it's unlikely that Kimbrel will be used as a primary closer if he continues his career.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel has been designated for assignment, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kimbrel has carried a rough 13.94 ERA, 2.23 WHIP, and a 9:12 BB:K ratio since August 11 and has taken two losses during this period. In addition, he has not recorded a save since July 7 after tallying 23 through most of the first half. While he has still been able to generate strikeouts at an elite 31.5% rate, he has given up hard contact at a very high rate, with a 10.6% barrel rate and a 43.1% hard-hit rate. 29-year-old Seranthony Dominguez has established himself as the go-to option in the ninth inning in Baltimore, as he has tallied nine saves across his past 12 1/3 frames of work. Kimbrel will now be a free agent and could eventually find a new home on a team looking to add a veteran piece to their bullpen.
Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel had a rough outing on Thursday, coughing up a 6-3 lead in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins. Kimbrel gave up three runs (one earned) on two walks and two hits. To be fair to him, he probably should've been in a better situation, as Gunnar Henderson bobbled a routine grounder that would've led to the Marlins having two outs instead of one. Still, Kimbrel didn't have his control today, something that has popped up a few times this season. He now has two blown saves in his last three outings, and with the Orioles being a top contender, one has to wonder if they fully trust the veteran in the closer role when he has been streaky this season. There shouldn't be any worries yet for fantasy managers, but a few more bad outings might raise some red flags.
Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel blew his fifth save of the season on Sunday against the division-rival New York Yankees but was bailed out and picked up his sixth win of the year in the team's 6-5 victory. Kimbrel allowed three earned runs on just one hit (a homer) while walking two and striking out one in an inning of work in the rough outing. All the damage came on a three-run homer off the bat of rookie Ben Rice after Kimbrel had walked a pair of hitters. The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star has had moments of frustration in 2024 in his first year in Baltimore, but overall he's been solid for the O's and will take a 6-2 record, 2.80 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 23 saves and a 53:16 K:BB into the All-Star break in 35 1/3 total innings. Although his walk rate of 11.4% isn't ideal, he's also sporting a 37.6% strikeout rate, his highest mark since 2021.
Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel notched his 17th save of the season in Wednesday afternoon's win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians, striking out three hitters in the ninth inning. Kimbrel recorded the final out as he got Guardians outfielder Jhonkensy Noel to swing and miss on a breaking ball, giving the Orioles a 4-2 win. The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star's struggles have been exaggerated at times this season, as he's posting a 2.54 ERA and 0.99 WHIP while fanning 42 and walking 12 over 28 1/3 innings as Baltimore's go-to stopper.
Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel blew the save but came away with the win in Wednesday night's extra-inning victory over the division-rival New York Yankees, allowing one run on two hits with a strikeout in the ninth inning. Kimbrel had been pitching very well lately, having not surrendered an earned run since May 8 before Wednesday's blown save, but Anthony Volpe came around to score the tying run on Giancarlo Stanton's RBI single. Although the 36-year-old veteran right-hander has endured his fair share of struggles with the O's this year, this outing probably wasn't enough for manager Brandon Hyde to have second thoughts about who his preferred ninth-inning man is -- Yennier Cano also allowed a run in this one. In his last 15 appearances, Kimbrel still owns a pristine 0.64 ERA with eight saves and an 18:2 K:BB as Baltimore's primary stopper.
Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 15th save of the season during Monday's 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. He issued one walk while striking out two. The veteran fireballer is now 15-for-18 in save opportunities on the season to go along with a 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 35.2 K%. He struggled to start the year, but he has now converted eight straight saves since the start of May. Kimbrel is still a top-10 closing option in fantasy on a team that garners plenty of save chances.
Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Kimbrel struck out two and did not allow a baserunner on the way to securing his 13th save in 16 chances in 2024. The 36-year-old veteran now has a 3.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts over 21 innings in his first season with the O's. Kimbrel should continue to see plenty of save chances pitching for the contending Orioles moving forward. That, coupled with his elite strikeout rate, makes him an excellent fantasy closer for fantasy managers this season.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel was tasked with holding a three-run lead against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. The 35-year-old was temporarily removed from the closer role due to struggles in early May. The veteran right-hander has reclaimed his role and has three saves this week. This game marked the seven straight scoreless appearance for Kimbrel. Fantasy managers can go back to trusting Kimbrel as an everyday option in fantasy lineups.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel as been confirmed as the closer going forward, according to manager Brandon Hyde. This doesn't come as much of a surprise after Kimbrel was tasked with closing down Sunday's game. The O's took a few weeks off from having Kimbrel as the closer, but he worked his way back into the role. Yennier Cano figures to return to his role as the set-up pitcher, so his fantasy value is going to take a significant hit.
