Craig Kimbrel is hoping to make an affect with an MLB crew down the stretch, and a World Collection contender is giving the previous All-Star reliever a shot.
Kimbrel agreed to a big-league contract with the Houston Astros on Thursday, in response to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Kimbrel started the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves after signing a minor-league contract with them in March. The suitable-hander began out with the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and didn’t hand over a success in three appearances. Kimbrel was then promoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, the place he went 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings.
The Braves added Kimbrel to their energetic roster on June 6. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning in Atlanta’s 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants that day. Kimbrel allowed a stroll and a success within the inning. The next day, Atlanta made the puzzling resolution to designate Kimbrel for project.
Kimbrel opted free of charge company reasonably than accepting his minor league project. He then signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers however by no means made it to their MLB roster. Kimbrel was granted his launch on Thursday and signed with Houston.
Kimbrel, 37, is a nine-time All-Star who has pitched for eight totally different groups throughout his MLB profession. He led the Nationwide League in saves 4 occasions and was among the finest aid pitchers within the league throughout his prime. Kimbrel additionally helped the Boston Purple Sox win a World Collection in 2018.
The Astros had been 69-58 getting into Thursday and had a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners within the AL West. If Kimbrel is wholesome, he might present Houston with some worthwhile bullpen depth over the ultimate stretch of the season.
