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BALTIMORE — The Orioles thought Craig Kimbrel still had “a lot in the tank,” as general manager Mike Elias put it at the Winter Meetings. There was confidence in the veteran right-hander to serve as a one-year stopgap for All-Star closer Félix Bautista, out for the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery.
For three months, it worked. Then, it went wrong.
After a near-All-Star-caliber first half, Kimbrel’s disastrous second half resulted in the 36-year-old getting designated for assignment by Baltimore on Wednesday afternoon. It marks the end of a brief-but-tumultuous tenure with the O’s for the potential future Hall of Famer.
Kimbrel signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Orioles in December. The contract featured a $13 million team option for 2025, as well as a $1 million buyout should that not get exercised.
In the first half, Kimbrel lived up to expectations. Through July 7, he had a 2.10 ERA and 23 saves over 38 appearances.
After July 7, Kimbrel posted an 11.50 ERA in 19 outings. He went 0-for-2 in save opportunities, eventually getting replaced by righty Seranthony Domínguez, who was acquired in a trade with the Phillies on July 26.
Kimbrel’s final outing for Baltimore was the worst of his 15-year big league career. In Tuesday’s 10-0 loss to the Giants, he allowed six earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. He had never yielded more than four runs in any of his previous 836 MLB appearances.
Kimbrel ranks fifth in MLB history with 440 saves. He’s behind only Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478) and Kenley Jansen (446).
Right-hander Bryan Baker was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take Kimbrel’s spot on the Orioles’ active roster. The club’s 40-man roster now has 37 players.
