The Baltimore Orioles have designated relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel for assignment after a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance in the 2024 MLB season.
While battling to hold on to a playoff position through the final two weeks of the season, Baltimore will move forward without a pitcher who has 440 career saves.
The Orioles won 101 games in 2023 after losing 110 in 2021. But Baltimore had a dark cloud hovering over its 2024 optimism: All-Star closer Felix Bautista would not be able to pitch after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The Orioles turned to free agency for a remedy, by signing Kimbrel, who pitched at Lee High School in Huntsville and Wallace State in Hancesville on his way to the big leagues.
After earning his 23rd save on July 7, Kimbrel had a 5-2 record with a 2.10 earned-run average in the 2024 season. In 34.1 innings, he struck out 52 while yielding 17 hits and 14 walks. Baltimore had a 32-6 record in the games in which Kimbrel pitched.
Since then, Kimbrel has a 2-3 record with a 11.50 ERA. In 18 innings, he has struck out 21 while yielding 23 hits and 17 walks. The Orioles had a 7-12 record in the games in which Kimbrel pitched.
With an 57-33 record after winning on July 7, Baltimore had a two-game lead on the New York Yankees at the top of the AL East standings. At 84-67, the Orioles trailed the Yankees by four games entering Wednesday’s schedule.
“We have so much respect for Craig and his career and what he’s done for the game, how long he’s pitched, how long he’s pitched well,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. “So it’s never easy to say goodbye to someone that’s done a lot. A heck of a first half for us, helped us win a ton of games. He’s an amazing teammate. He’s incredible in the clubhouse and just a class, class act.”
Kimbrel will be placed on waivers. If claimed by another team, he would be ineligible for postseason participation. If Kimbrel isn’t claimed, the Orioles will owe the pitcher what’s left of his $12 million salary for the 2024 season plus a $1 million buyout of the club option on the 2025 season.
After getting his feet wet in the Majors in 2010, Kimbrel was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2011, when he led the circuit in saves for the first of four straight seasons for the Atlanta Braves.
While moving to fifth on baseball’s all-time saves list, Kimbrel has been an All-Star Game selection nine times – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
In 2018, Kimbrel won a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
