CRAIG KIMBREL NEWS

Pirates ace Paul Skenes and Yankees pitcher Luis Gil win Rookie of the Year awards

Hard-throwing Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes capped a remarkable season by winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award while Luis Gil of the New York Yankees edged Bal...

2 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ryan Mountcastle activated by Orioles, who release reliever Craig Kimbrel

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle has been activated by the Baltimore Orioles from the 10-day injured list after missing a month because of a sprained left wrist

SEPTEMBER 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Officially released The Orioles released Kimbrel on Tuesday, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 36-year-old was designated for assignment by the Orioles last week and will now officially exit the organization. Kimbrel was dominant at times this season as he racked up 23 saves in 29 opportunities, but he surrendered 23 earned runs in his last 19 appearances before Baltimore elected to move on. The right-hander finished with a 5.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 73:31 K:BB across 57 frames and may now find himself at a career crossroads.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles DFA 9-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel The Baltimore Orioles designated right-hander Craig Kimbrel for assignment on Wednesday, a day after one of the worst outings of the nine-ti...

SEPTEMBER 18 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Orioles Designate Reliever Craig Kimbrel for Assignment After Meltdown Against Giants Baltimore’s bullpen is a question mark headed into the postseason.

SEPTEMBER 18 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Orioles designate reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment

Craig Kimbrel's time with the Baltimore Orioles could be coming to an end after the former All-Star was designated for assignment amid strug...

SEPTEMBER 18

MLB Notebook: Orioles designate closer Craig Kimbrel for assignment The Baltimore Orioles designated closer Craig Kimbrel for assignment o...

SEPTEMBER 18 • BLUEJAYSNATION.COM

Orioles designate reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment

Craig Kimbrel’s time with the Baltimore Orioles is over

SEPTEMBER 18 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Craig Kimbrel designated by Orioles Craig Kimbrel's time with the Orioles came to an end on Wednesday after the club designated him for assignment. To take his place on the ros...

SEPTEMBER 18 • MLB.COM

Designated for assignment The Orioles designated Kimbrel for assignment Wednesday.

Impact Kimbrel had an excellent first half as the Orioles' closer in posting a 2.80 ERA and 53:16 K:BB over 35.1 innings while notching 23 saves. He has cratered since the All-Star break with a 10.59 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 15 walks in 17 frames. Kimbrel was being used in a mop-up role this month and his last time out he allowed six runs while recording just two outs. The 36-year-old will eventually be released, with the Orioles on the hook for what remains of his $13 million salary in 2024, as well as a $1 million buyout of his 2025 club option.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Imanaga, 2 relievers combine for no-hitter, lead Cubs over Pirates 12-0

Shota Imanaga and two Cubs relievers combined on a no-hitter, leading Chicago over the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0 on Wednesday night

SEPTEMBER 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes loss Saturday Kimbrel (7-5) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one over one inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Rockies.

Impact Kimbrel couldn't keep the game tied in the eighth inning in a game that taxed the Orioles' bullpen following Dean Kremer's exit with a forearm injury. August saw Kimbrel receive little high-leverage work, but he still struggled with seven runs allowed and an 8:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings. He's now at a 4.07 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 67:26 K:BB through 48.2 innings this season. Kimbrel won't be challenging Seranthony Dominguez for the closer role any time soon, though the Orioles' bullpen has been shaky in general for much of the second half.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Saturday Kimbrel (7-5) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one over one inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Rockies.

Impact Kimbrel couldn't keep the game tied in the eighth inning in a game that taxed the Orioles' bullpen following Dean Kremer's exit with a forearm injury. August saw Kimbrel receive little high-leverage work, but he still struggled with seven runs allowed and an 8:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings. He's now at a 4.07 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 67:26 K:BB through 48.2 innings this season. Kimbrel won't be challenging Seranthony Dominguez for the closer role any time soon, though the Orioles' bullpen has been shaky in general for much of the second half.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs win Friday Kimbrel (7-4) allowed two hits and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday over the Astros.

Impact Kimbrel was brought in for a low-leverage spot with the Orioles trailing by three runs in the eighth inning. He danced around some danger and became the pitcher of record when Baltimore rallied for five runs in its half of the frame. This was Kimbrel's sixth scoreless outing in his last 13 appearances, a lengthy run of poor form that has cost him the closer job, which is now occupied by Seranthony Dominguez. Kimbrel is at a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 66:26 K:BB with 23 saves, six blown saves and four holds through 46.2 innings, and given his recent struggles, it's unlikely he get a lot of high-leverage looks in the near future.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Yields game-winning run Kimbrel (6-4) took the loss Sunday against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on no hits and three walks (one intentional) across one inning. He struck out two.

Impact Kimbrel entered Sunday's contest in the eighth inning with the score tied 1-1 but couldn't keep the Rays off the board, winding up with the loss. He struggled to find the strike zone early, walking leadoff hitter Brandon Lowe on six pitches and walking Christopher Morel on four pitches a batter later. Kimbrel couldn't hold either baserunner, with Lowe immediately taking second, before a double-steal left Morel and Lowe in scoring position. Looking for a double-play ball, Kimbrel intentionally walked Josh Lowe. However, Curtis Mead delivered the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. Kimbrel has surrendered a run in four of his last seven appearances and hasn't generated a save since July 7. The Orioles have looked elsewhere during the ninth inning in the wake of the 36-year-old's inconsistency, as Seranthony Dominguez picked up the save Saturday even though Kimbrel hadn't pitched in three days.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Mead hits tiebreaking sacrifice fly in 8th, Rays avoid 3-game sweep by beating Orioles 2-1

Curtis Mead had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Baltimore Orioles 2-1

AUGUST 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Urías hits go-ahead homer in 8th, Mountcastle drives in 3 as AL East-leading Orioles beat Rays 7-5

Ramón Urías hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, Ryan Mountcastle drove in three runs and the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-5 on Saturday night

AUGUST 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orioles add another Philadelphia reliever, acquiring Gregory Soto from the Phillies

The Baltimore Orioles have added another Philadelphia reliever

JULY 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mountcastle shines, Cano closes as Orioles snap San Diego's 7-game winning streak with an 8-6 win

Ryan Mountcastle hit a pair of two-run singles, Cedric Mullins made a terrific catch in center field and the Baltimore Orioles held off the Padres 8-6 to snap San Diego’s seven-gam...

JULY 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falters in non-save situation Kimbrel (6-3) took the loss Friday versus the Padres, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out one over one inning.

Impact Kimbrel's going through another bout of poor pitching -- he's allowed eight runs (six earned) over his last 3.2 innings, taking two blown saves in that span. Friday's collapse came in a tied game, as he was taken deep by Jurickson Profar for a two-run home run. Kimbrel is now at a 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB over 38 innings with 23 saves, four holds and six blown saves this year. If his struggles continue, he may be moved to low-leverage assignments briefly as he was in late April and early May. Should that happen, Yennier Cano, Jacob Webb and Seranthony Dominguez would be candidates to pick up the slack in the ninth inning.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Profar homers twice to lift San Diego to its 6th straight win, 6-4 over Baltimore

Jurickson Profar hit a pair of two-run homers, the second of which broke a ninth-inning tie to send the San Diego Padres to their sixth straight victory, 6-4 over the Baltimore Ori...

JULY 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orioles acquire right-handed starter Zach Eflin from Tampa Bay for 3 minor leaguers

The Baltimore Orioles have bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring right-hander Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays for three minor leaguers

JULY 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blows save Thursday Kimbrel blew a save against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

Impact Kimbrel came on in the ninth frame to try to protect a three-run lead but couldn't get the job done. After retiring the first batter he faced, the veteran closer gave up a pair of singles followed by a walk, then saw a run cross the plate on a fielding error behind him. A sacrifice fly and another single resulted in two more runs, the latter of which tied the game. Kimbrel has now blown two straight save chances and has given up six runs (four earned) over his past 2.2 innings, though he's pitched well enough overall this season to still have control of the closer role for Baltimore.

JULY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Falters into sixth win Kimbrel (6-2) picked up the win Sunday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks over one inning against the Yankees. He struck out one.

Impact Kimbrel came on in the ninth looking for his 24th save but quickly blew that opportunity by allowing a couple of walks followed by a three-run homer by Ben Rice. To his credit, Kimbrel then retired the next three batters, making him the pitcher of record when the Orioles completed their own comeback in the bottom of the inning. Despite Sunday's outing, Kimbrel has been highly effective in his first season with the Orioles, entering the All-Star break with six wins, 23 saves, a 2.80 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 39 appearances spanning 35.1 innings.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees, Orioles both score 3 in the ninth. After all that chaos, Baltimore leads the division by 1

The Baltimore Orioles prevailed in a wild ninth inning in which each closer allowed three runs

JULY 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS