Craig Kimbrel hopes to make an impact with an MLB team, and a World Series candidate gives the former All-Star Reliever a chance.
Kimbrel agreed on Thursday with a BIG-League contract with the Houston Astros, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Kimbrel started the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves after signing a Minor League contract with them in March. The right-handed started with the Double-A Columbus Flingstones and gave no hit in three performances. Kimbrel was then promoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, where he went 1-1 with an ERA of 2.00 and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings.
The Braves added Kimbrel to their active selection on 6 June. He threw a scoreless seventh inning in the 5-4 victory of Atlanta over the San Francisco Giants that day. Kimbrel allowed a walk and a hit in the inning. The next day Atlanta made the enigmatic decision to appoint Kimbrel for assignment.
Kimbrel opted for a free desk instead of accepting his Minor League assignment. He then signed a Minor League contract with the Texas Rangers, but never achieved their MLB selection. Kimbrel received his release on Thursday and signed at Houston.
Kimbrel, 37, is a nine times All-Star who has thrown for eight different teams during his MLB career. He led the National League four times in Saves and was one of the best relief pitchers in the competition during his Prime. Kimbrel also helped the Boston Red Sox to win a World Series in 2018.
The Astros were 69-58 that came in on Thursday and had a lead of 1.5 games about the Seattle Mariners in the Al West. If Kimbrel is healthy, he could offer Houston a valuable bull pen depth during the last part of the season.
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