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Written by: E. George
Published March 21, 2025 @12:45 PM ET
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Craig Kimbrel is returning to Atlanta after signing a minor-league contract with the Braves. The deal marks a reunion with the team where Kimbrel first rose to prominence as one of Major League Baseball’s top closers. This move comes after a season spent with the Baltimore Orioles, where he showed flashes of his former dominant self but struggled in the latter half of the year.
Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star, right-handed relief pitcher originally played for the Braves from 2010 to 2014, earning four All-Star selections and leading the National League in saves during his tenure. Over those five seasons, he cemented his reputation as one of the league’s elite bullpen arms, compiling 186 of his career total of 440 saves with Atlanta.
His success with the Braves helped pave the way for a high-profile career, which included stints with the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Orioles.
His most notable achievement came in 2018 when he won a World Series title with the Red Sox. Now, Kimbrel will try to contribute to the Braves bullpen once again as the team works to build a deep and competitive relief corps for the upcoming season.
While it remains unclear whether Kimbrel will reclaim his former closer role, Braves manager Brian Snitker is optimistic about his potential impact. Snitker acknowledged Kimbrel’s struggles in the latter part of the 2024 season but expressed hope that the pitcher could rediscover his earlier form.
Kimbrel was solid in the first half of last season, posting a 2.10 ERA with 23 saves in 27 opportunities. However, a dip in performance after July saw his ERA balloon to 11.50, and he was eventually designated for assignment by the Orioles.
Snitker, who has previously expressed his excitement about adding veteran arms to his bullpen, is particularly hopeful about Kimbrel’s ability to replicate his earlier success. Speaking on Kimbrel’s potential, Snitker noted that reports from Baltimore suggested Kimbrel could have made the All-Star team had his second half not derailed.
In addition to Kimbrel’s return, the Braves have also brought in another experienced reliever, Héctor Neris, on a minor-league contract. Neris, who has accumulated 107 saves over his 11-year career, joins the team as a potential contributor to the late innings. The addition of both Kimbrel and Neris provides the Braves with two seasoned arms that could play key roles despite having joined the team late in spring training.
Manager Snitker remains hopeful that both pitchers can contribute significantly in 2025. As spring training progresses, he’s keeping a close eye on both Kimbrel and Neris, along with other relievers, as the team prepares for the start of the season. Snitker is no stranger to late-season acquisitions, recalling a similar situation in 2019 when veteran Matt Joyce was added to the roster just before Opening Day.
The Braves’ bullpen, already considered one of the team’s strengths, has the potential to be even more formidable with the additions of Kimbrel and Neris. As Snitker notes, it’s common for teams to make late adjustments, and the Braves could still see further changes before the start of the season.