Craig Kimbrel Returns to the Atlanta Braves
Closer Craig Kimbrel, former Atlanta Braves player, is ready to return to the team where he began his successful career. The nine-time All-Star has been called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to reinforce the Braves’ bullpen.
Kimbrel, 37, played his first five seasons in the Major Leagues with the Braves, accumulating 186 saves and leading the National League in this category for four seasons.
In a series of moves, the Braves traded right-handed pitcher Scott Blewett to the Baltimore Orioles for cash. Dylan Dodd, a left-handed pitcher, was also called up from Triple-A, while Daysbel Hernandez, a right-handed pitcher, was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm inflammation.The decision to reinforce the bullpen with Kimbrel comes one day after the Braves allowed seven runs in the ninth inning, losing 11-10 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In 15 seasons in the Major Leagues with eight teams, Kimbrel has a record of 56-47 with 440 saves and an ERA of 2.59 in 837 appearances. He was named an All-Star for the last time in 2023, when he recorded 23 saves and an ERA of 3.26 for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Kimbrel signed a minor league contract with Atlanta in March.Dodd, who turned 27 on Friday, did not allow runs in two appearances with the Braves earlier this season and has a 2-2 record with a 7.34 ERA in 10 appearances (seven starts) with the team over the last three seasons.
Hernandez, 28, had a 3-1 record with a 2.22 ERA in 25 relief appearances with Atlanta this season. Blewett, 29, had an ERA of 5.51 in 11 appearances with the Braves this season and returns to the Orioles after making two scoreless appearances with them earlier this season, before being traded to Atlanta, also for cash.
