Craig Kimbrel's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel has been designated for assignment, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kimbrel has carried a rough 13.94 ERA, 2.23 WHIP, and a 9:12 BB:K ratio since August 11 and has taken two losses during this period. In addition, he has not recorded a save since July 7 after tallying 23 through most of the first half. While he has still been able to generate strikeouts at an elite 31.5% rate, he has given up hard contact at a very high rate, with a 10.6% barrel rate and a 43.1% hard-hit rate. 29-year-old Seranthony Dominguez has established himself as the go-to option in the ninth inning in Baltimore, as he has tallied nine saves across his past 12 1/3 frames of work. Kimbrel will now be a free agent and could eventually find a new home on a team looking to add a veteran piece to their bullpen.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel had a rough outing on Thursday, coughing up a 6-3 lead in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins. Kimbrel gave up three runs (one earned) on two walks and two hits. To be fair to him, he probably should've been in a better situation, as Gunnar Henderson bobbled a routine grounder that would've led to the Marlins having two outs instead of one. Still, Kimbrel didn't have his control today, something that has popped up a few times this season. He now has two blown saves in his last three outings, and with the Orioles being a top contender, one has to wonder if they fully trust the veteran in the closer role when he has been streaky this season. There shouldn't be any worries yet for fantasy managers, but a few more bad outings might raise some red flags.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel blew his fifth save of the season on Sunday against the division-rival New York Yankees but was bailed out and picked up his sixth win of the year in the team's 6-5 victory. Kimbrel allowed three earned runs on just one hit (a homer) while walking two and striking out one in an inning of work in the rough outing. All the damage came on a three-run homer off the bat of rookie Ben Rice after Kimbrel had walked a pair of hitters. The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star has had moments of frustration in 2024 in his first year in Baltimore, but overall he's been solid for the O's and will take a 6-2 record, 2.80 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 23 saves and a 53:16 K:BB into the All-Star break in 35 1/3 total innings. Although his walk rate of 11.4% isn't ideal, he's also sporting a 37.6% strikeout rate, his highest mark since 2021.