Braves Linked to Veteran Reliever Craig Kimbrel After Surprise Departure

By Oliver Wiener June 12, 2025 09:34

The Atlanta Braves’ surprising decision to designate veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment just one day after his 2025 season debut has sent shockwaves through the baseball world. Kimbrel, the franchise’s all-time saves leader and a four-time All-Star with Atlanta, was quickly scooped up by the Texas Rangers on a minor league deal, highlighting both his enduring reputation and the brutal realities of roster management in today’s MLB.

Kimbrel’s return to the Braves was highly anticipated when Atlanta selected his contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on June 6, marking a full-circle moment for the 37-year-old right-hander who began his illustrious career in Atlanta. In his lone appearance on June 5 against the San Francisco Giants, Kimbrel delivered a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out a batter. Despite this solid outing, his fastball velocity averaged just 91.5 mph down significantly from his peak years when he routinely touched 97-98 mph. This diminished velocity raised questions about his effectiveness moving forward.

Former teammate Brian McCann offered a sympathetic perspective, noting, “I’m not going to speak for Craig, but he was also on a cross-country flight that morning. Maybe he didn’t have his legs under him, I’m not sure. At the end of the day, he put up a zero. You can’t ask for much more than a zero when you take the mound.” Still, the Braves’ front office made the difficult call to designate Kimbrel for assignment the very next day, recalling left-hander Austin Cox to replace him.

The move was met with mixed reactions within the Braves organization and fanbase. According to insiders, the handling of Kimbrel’s brief stint was “not received well” internally, reflecting the emotional complexity of parting ways with a franchise icon. Kimbrel, who holds the Braves’ franchise record with 186 saves from 2010 to 2014, had been kept in Triple-A for most of the season despite his veteran status and past dominance.

Kimbrel’s minor league numbers in 2025 were respectable, posting a 2.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 18 innings in Triple-A, signaling he could still contribute at the major league level. However, his diminished stuff and the Braves’ urgent need to improve their struggling bullpen led to the swift roster decision. Atlanta currently sits at 27-35, trailing the division-leading Mets by 12 games and facing a tough path to the playoffs.

Shortly after electing free agency, Kimbrel signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, a team looking to bolster its bullpen depth for a potential postseason push. The Rangers are betting that Kimbrel’s experience and competitive fire can translate into valuable innings, even if his velocity and dominance have waned.

Kimbrel’s career, marked by an explosive start that included the 2011 NL Rookie of the Year award and multiple All-Star appearances, remains one of the most remarkable for a reliever. His tenure with the Braves from 2010-14 featured a sparkling 1.43 ERA and 476 strikeouts in 289 innings, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s elite closers.

Craig Kimbrel’s swift departure from the Braves after a single scoreless inning underscores the unforgiving nature of modern baseball roster decisions. While Atlanta moves on in its quest to turn around a difficult season, Kimbrel’s journey continues with the Rangers, where his veteran presence could still make an impact. For Braves fans, the chapter closes on a beloved legend; for Kimbrel, the next opportunity is just beginning.