Braves call up vet Kimbrel after bullpen implodes
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SAN FRANCISCO — The
The moves came a day after the Braves blew a 10-4 lead in the ninth inning at Arizona and lost 11-10. It was the first time the Braves lost a game after leading by at least six runs in the ninth since July 17, 1973, against the New York Mets, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Atlanta had won 766 straight games with a six-run lead at the end of the eighth inning, Elias said.
Kimbrel is set to make his first appearance for the Braves since being traded to San Diego just before the 2015 season opener. Kimbrel spent his first five seasons in the big leagues with Atlanta, leading the league in saves each year from 2011 to 2014. His 186 saves are the most ever for a Braves pitcher.
“This is where I wanted to be,” Kimbrel said. “I didn’t want to go anywhere else. Obviously, it came up that that was an option, but I wanted to be here in Atlanta. It’s close to home and this is the jersey I want to put on.”
Kimbrel makes his return at the same stadium where he first established himself in the 2010 playoffs for Atlanta. He struck out four in two perfect innings in a win in Game 2 of a division series against San Francisco on the day future Hall of Famer Billy Wagner got hurt in the final outing of his career.
Kimbrel took over as closer the following year and has recorded 440 saves and made nine All-Star teams since.
“It was something special right there,” said manager Brian Snitker, who was a coach for the Braves that season. “It kind of was the beginning of Craig Kimbrel. It’s good to see him. He worked hard to get back here. Hopefully he can help us out.”
Kimbrel has pitched for several teams the past decade and spent the 2024 season with Baltimore, going 7-5 with a 5.33 ERA and 23 saves before being cut in September.
He said the back problems that hampered his performance late last season are no longer an issue.
Kimbrel signed a minor league deal with Atlanta in March and was 1-1 with two saves, a 3.00 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 18 innings over 18 outings at Double-A Columbus and Gwinnett.
