Former Dodgers Closer Designated For Assignment in Shocking Move by AL Powerhouse
The Baltimore Orioles have shockingly designated right-handed reliever and former Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel for assignment. Kimbrel, 36, has a 5.33 ERA across 57 appearances this season. The nine-time All-Star, including a 2023 honoree with the Philadelphia Phillies, will now look for his next MLB home.
Kimbrel signed with the Orioles on a one-year deal this offseason that included a club option for the 2025 season. Kimbrel was coming off a 2023 season with the Phillies in which he had a 3.26 ERA in 71 appearances, with an impressive 94 strikeouts across 69 innings pitched. He earned his second All-Star nod in three years.
In 2022, Kimbrel was with the Dodgers, where he had a 3.75 ERA across 47 appearances. Kimbrel’s struggles saw him lose his role as the team’s closer, and many fans clamored for the team to move on from him in a similar manner to what the Orioles just did.
Kimbrel’s career began back in 2010 with the Atlanta Braves. Across 15 seasons with the Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, and Orioles, Kimbrel has a 2.59 ERA with 440 saves across 837 appearances.
If Kimbrel finds a new home before the end of the regular season, he won’t be eligible to play in the postseason. Thus, this move could very well end his 2024 season before he re-enters free agency this offseason. The 2024 season was the worst of his career.
Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
