Craig

Kimbrel

He allowed one hit, a 107-mph line-drive single, while working the eighth with the Astros down by one run. Kimbrel averaged 93.1 mph with his fastball today. That’s still down about three mph from a couple of years ago, but he’s gotten stronger since coming in at 91.5 mph in his lone appearance for the Braves in June.

The 37-year-old right-hander made just one appearance in the big leagues with the Braves earlier this season, working a scoreless inning. He had then posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 28/12 K/BB ratio over 21 innings for the Rangers at Triple-A Round Rock before getting released on Thursday. He’ll add another capable high-leverage reliever to an Astros’ bullpen that’s trying to make up for the loss of Josh Hader (shoulder).

The Rangers granted Kimbrel’s release from his minor league deal so that he could sign a big league deal with the Astros. He’ll add another arm with closing experience to an Houston’s bullpen that has lost elite closer Josh Hader (shoulder) for the remainder of the season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him work his way into a setup role in front of Bryan Abreu given his resume, but the previously-elite stuff simply hasn’t been there this season regardless of where he’s pitched.

The good news is that Kimbrel’s velocity is creeping up. The Braves quickly gave up on him after he averaged 91.5 mph with his fastball in his one appearance for them earlier this month. Last night, he averaged 93.1 mph. If he can keep building, he might have a chance to help Texas. He thus far has a 2.95 ERA and a 24/13 K/BB in 18 1/3 innings for two Triple-A teams.

Kimbrel will get an opportunity to keep his career going after being cut loose earlier this week by Atlanta after just one outing back in the big leagues. The 37-year-old veteran stopper is unlikely to factor into Texas’ closing mix, especially considering he was averaging 92 mph on his fastball in his return to the big leagues. We’re not willing to rule out the possibility that he makes it to the club’s relief mix at some point.

It’s possible this is the end of the road for Kimbrel. Atlanta decides to move on after just one relief appearance where he was sitting in the 92-mph range with his fastball. The 37-year-old, who is sitting on 440 career saves since 2010, was the most dominant closer in the game at his apex with Atlanta last decade. Things completely unraveled last year in Baltimore and he’s never quite bounced back. He’s back on the open market again after going unclaimed on waivers and refusing an outright assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Well, that was fast. Kimbrel’s highly-anticipated return to Atlanta for the first time since 2014 appears to be over after just one relief appearance during Friday’s game against the Giants. It’s a stunning development considering the 37-year-old franchise icon spent the last few months working his way back to the big leagues. The fact that his fastball was sitting in the 92-mph range during his season debut seems to be the driving force behind the decision. He figures to pass through waivers unclaimed in the coming days. It’s unclear whether he’s willing to accept an outright assignment back to Triple-A Gwinnett or will elect free agency to pursue an opportunity elsewhere.

Kimbrel, 37, will be making his season debut whenever he enters a game for Atlanta. The former upper-echelon closer will likely work in middle-relief to begin his time with his former club, but Raisel Iglesias has been awful as the closer in 2025, so there could be opportunity if he pitches well/Iglesias continues to struggle.

That comes after the Braves’ bullpen imploded and squandered a six-run lead in the ninth inning against the Diamondbacks on Thursday afternoon. Kimbrel, who has 440 big league saves to his name, has registered a 2.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 23/9 K/BB ratio over 18 innings in the minor leagues this season. He’ll give manager Brian Snitker another option to deploy in the late innings. Kimbrel hasn’t appeared in a big league game with the Braves since the end of the 2014 season.

Kimbrel made three appearances for Double-A Columbus, not allowing any hits while striking out six and walking one in 3 1/3 innings. If he continues to pitch well in Triple-A, he could join the Braves bullpen soon; although, he’s unlikely to have much fantasy value aside from leagues that count holds as a stat.