CRAIG KIMBREL NEWS

Is Kimbrel still the closer? 'I'll get back to you' Cubs manager David Ross was not ready to answer the question. Before heading down the public road of discussing whether Craig Kimbrel will r...

AUGUST 1, 2020 • MLB.COM

Cubs' Ross 'not sure' how he'll use Kimbrel after latest rough outing Craig Kimbrel's early-season struggles may have slightly weakened his hold on his role as the Chicago Cubs' closer.Kimbrel struggled to clos...

AUGUST 1, 2020 • THESCORE.COM

Cubs' Ross non-committal when asked about Kimbrel as closer

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross is working out how he plans to handle save situations while struggling closer Craig Kimbrel works on his mechanics

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Craig Kimbrel’s status as Cubs closer is uncertain after his rough start: ‘We need him to be good if we’re going to have a lot of success’ Craig Kimbrel’s two rough outings and the shortened 60-game season might leave the new Cubs manager with no choice but to call an early audi...

AUGUST 1, 2020 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Status as closer in question Manager David Ross was noncommittal Saturday when asked whether Kimbrel would remain the Cubs' closer going forward, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kimbrel entered Friday's game against the Pirates in the ninth inning during a non-save situation, but he allowed back-to-back home runs to Josh Bell and Colin Moran. The Cubs held on to win 6-3, but the right-hander has now had two rough outings to begin the season after struggling last season. Ross said he would have conversations with Kimbrel to determine his role going forward but declined to say whether he'd handle the ninth-inning duties in the near future. Jeremy Jeffress and Rowan Wick would be the most likely replacements if the 32-year-old loses his job as the closer.

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Another poor outing Kimbrel allowed two earned runs on two hits over an inning of work in a non-save situation against the Pirates on Friday.

Impact Kimbrel allowed back-to-back home runs to Josh Bell and Colin Moran in the ninth inning, but the Cubs hung on for the 6-3 win. Kimbrel allowed two earned runs while retiring just a single batter in his first appearance of the season Monday, and the veteran reliever now carries an atrocious 27.00 ERA. It's early, but given the struggles Kimbrel had last season, there is reason to be at least somewhat concerned. If the Cubs did decide to make a change at closer at some point, Jeremy Jeffress or Rowan Wick would likely be next in line.

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Has another poor outing Kimbrel allowed two earned runs on two hits in an inning of work during a non-save situation against the Pirates Friday.

Impact Kimbrel allowed back-to-back home runs to Josh Bell and Colin Moran in the ninth inning, but the Cubs hung on for the 6-3 win. Kimbrel allowed two earned runs while retiring just a single batter in his first appearance of the season Monday, and the veteran reliever now carries an atrocious 27.00 ERA. It's early, but given the struggles Kimbrel had last season, there is reason to be at least somewhat concerned. If the Cubs did decide to make a change at closer at some point, Jeremy Jeffress or Rowan Wick would likely be next in line.

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Darvish shines as Chicago Cubs beat Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3

Yu Darvish pitched six shutout innings and Jason Heyward drove in two runs, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Two-hit effort Friday Moran went 2-for-4 with a home run in Friday's 6-3 loss against the Cubs.

Impact Moran took Craig Kimbrel deep in the top of the ninth, but that wasn't enough to spark a late comeback for the Pirates. This was Moran's fourth long ball of the season -- all of them have come in his last five games -- and he should remain as a reliable threat in the middle of the order for the Pirates moving forward.

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs sign former Indians closer Allen to minor league deal

The Chicago Cubs have signed former Cleveland Indians closer Cody Allen to a minor league deal

JULY 31, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Craig Kimbrel’s brutal start to 2020 summed up in one stat Craig Kimbrel's 2020 season is off to a disastrous start A pitcher the caliber of Craig Kimbrel should be perfectly capable of preserving a...

JULY 30, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Chicago Cubs can’t count on Craig Kimbrel, which is a massive problem The Chicago Cubs have started the season 4-1, but it's clear they can't rely in Craig Kimbrel to recapture his previous form. With an 8-5 wi...

JULY 29, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Slow starts by Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel aren’t worrying Cubs manager David Ross yet The Chicago Cubs hope closer Craig Kimbrel and third baseman Kris Bryant will snap out of their early ruts.

JULY 29, 2020 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

What does Craig Kimbrel's decline mean for the Cubs and their NL Central chances? Kimbrel was awful against the Reds on Monday, unable to find the strike zone in a worrisome outing.

JULY 28, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Cubs' Ross giving Kimbrel 'a little bit of leash' after rough outing Chicago Cubs manager David Ross preached patience Monday after closer Craig Kimbrel struggled to throw strikes during a save opportunity in...

JULY 28, 2020 • THESCORE.COM

Here's What's Wrong With Craig Kimbrel Craig Kimbrel got off to a rough start with the Chicago Cubs when he joined the team in 2019, posting a 6.53 ERA on the year. Now things are...

JULY 28, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Rizzo homers again, Cubs beat virus-unsettled Reds 8-7

Anthony Rizzo homered for the third time, and the Chicago Cubs held on for an 8-7 victory over a Cincinnati Reds team coping with coronavirus uncertainty

JULY 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays fan 19 Braves in 14-5 romp; Atlanta cuts Foltynewicz

JULY 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Awful start to 2020 Kimbrel gave up two runs on four walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch over one-third of an inning during Monday's 8-7 win over the Reds.

Impact The veteran closer was entrusted with a three-run lead to begin the ninth inning but was unable to record the save, as he threw only 13 of 34 pitches for strikes and needed Jeremy Jeffress to bail him out. Kimbrel still got credit for a hold, but this was hardly the way he, the Cubs, or anyone with fantasy shares in him expected his season to begin. If there was a silver lining to the outing it was that his velocity was OK -- he topped out at 97.5 mph with his fastball, on the pitch that plunked Freddy Galvis -- but Kimbrel will need to turn things around fast if he's going to keep hold of the closer spot.

JULY 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs Twitter is freaking out about clean-shaven Craig Kimbrel Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel shaved off his beard and the man looks unrecognizable If you need further proof that 2020 has been a wild...

JULY 25, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Kimbrel looking to bounce back after tough debut with Cubs

The Chicago Cubs need Craig Kimbrel to bounce back this year

JULY 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kimbrel's great idea for socially distant celebrations It's funky, fresh and different, and we're here for it.

JULY 8, 2020 • NBC.COM

All-Time Red Sox Roster: Craig Kimbrel This All-Time great reliever was as frustrating at times as he was dominant.

JUNE 23, 2020 • OVERTHEMONSTER.COM

MLB offers 76-game season, playoffs rise up to 16 teams

MLB offers 76-game season, playoffs rise up to 16 teams

JUNE 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Locked into bullpen role Wick is a virtual lock to be a part of the Cubs' bullpen whenever the 2020 season is able to begin, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Wick started the 2019 season in the minors and spent about half of the year there, but he was great when he got a chance in the majors, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35 strikeouts across 33.1 innings. That performance solidified the 27-year-old's roll heading into 2020, and he should operate as a high-leverage option who could displace Craig Kimbrel as the team's closer if the latter's struggles continue this season.

MARCH 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE