Veteran closer and former Atlanta Braves icon Craig Kimbrel has officially found a new team just one day after parting ways with the Braves.
Following his designation for assignment and subsequent election of free agency, Kimbrel has signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, according to a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
The 37-year-old right-hander made a brief return to the Braves this season after an 11-year hiatus. He threw a scoreless inning in his lone appearance on Friday before Atlanta designated him for assignment the next day.
Rather than accept a demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett, Kimbrel opted for free agency and quickly secured another opportunity.
Kimbrel’s tenure with the Braves from 2010 to 2014 remains one of the most dominant stretches by any reliever in MLB history. During that period, he posted an astonishing 1.43 ERA and racked up 476 strikeouts in 289 innings. His overpowering stuff and consistency earned him four All-Star selections and the 2011 NL Rookie of the Year award.
Since his initial departure from Atlanta after the 2014 season, Kimbrel has suited up for a string of MLB teams including the Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, and Orioles. Most recently, he spent the 2023 season with Baltimore, where he struggled to a 5.33 ERA over the course of the year.
Though clearly past his peak, the Rangers are taking a low-risk gamble on Kimbrel, banking on the possibility that he can still contribute in a bullpen role as they push for postseason contention. If he proves effective at the minor league level, Kimbrel could soon add a ninth team to his storied MLB résumé.
Now with a new club and another chance, Kimbrel aims to resurrect his career and once again make his mark on the big-league mound.
