Braves calling up Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A after bullpen's 7-run meltdown in 9th inning vs. D-backs
Craig Kimbrel is returning to the Atlanta Braves bullpen. The Braves are calling up their former All-Star closer from Triple-A Gwinnett, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported on Thursday.
Atlanta officially announced the move on Friday, adding that reliever Daysbel Hernández (2.22 ERA in 25 appearances) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right forearm inflammation.
Advertisement
The decision was likely prompted by the Braves blowing a six-run lead in the ninth inning Thursday versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, leading to an 11-10 loss. Atlanta took a 10-5 lead into the ninth. Three of Arizona's first four batters reached base against Scott Blewett, including home runs by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Alek Thomas.
Raisel Iglesias relieved Blewett and didn't fare better, allowing five of the next six batters on base with RBI hits by Ketel Marte, Ildemaro Vargas and Eugenio Suárez resulting in four runs and an Arizona lead. Ultimately, five runs were charged to Blewett and Iglesias gave up the lead with the three he allowed.
"We're not a bad team. We're a good team that's playing bad," Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the game. "We're all going to be miserable, and we should. We didn't execute and put the game away, and we've got to do that."
With the loss, Atlanta dropped to 27-34, placing them fourth in the National League West and 11 games behind the first-place New York Mets. The Braves are also seven games out of the NL's third wild-card playoff berth.
Advertisement
In 18 minor league appearances this season (15 for Gwinnett), Kimbrel has compiled a 2.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 18 innings with 8 walks and 9 hits allowed.
Kimbrel, 37, pitched the first five seasons of his career with the Braves, collecting a 1.43 ERA and 186 saves in 294 appearances. He won the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year award and made four All-Star teams during his stint with Atlanta.
The right-hander was traded to the San Diego Padres before the 2015 season and he's played for six other teams since then. Last season, he had a 5.33 ERA for the Orioles in 57 appearances despite a strikeout rate of 12.6 per nine innings and was released in late September.
Advertisement
However, Kimbrel had a 2.80 ERA, 53 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings and 23 saves before the All-Star break.
'Hopefully, he can replicate what he did the first half of last year,' Snitker said when Atlanta signed Kimbrel in the spring. 'It would be awesome if he could come in and do that."
During his 15 MLB seasons, Kimbrel has compiled a 2.59 ERA and 440 saves with a strikeout rate of 14.1 per 9 innings.
Blewett's outing was his last for the Braves. The team announced that he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday for cash considerations. Atlanta was planning to DFA Blewett (5.51 ERA in 11 games) after Thursday's game, but worked out a deal with Baltimore.
It's a return to Baltimore for the right-hander, who appeared in two games for the Orioles before being designated for assignment and traded to Atlanta. Blewett began the season with the Minnesota Twins, but received a DFA and was picked up by the Orioles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to Sports: Dodgers must figure out their injured pitcher problem
The Dodgers now have 15 pitchers on the injured list. This team, with all of its talent, is going nowhere without frontline pitching. Andrew Friedman realized this when he emptied Fort Knox during the offseason. But, like previous seasons, they are dropping like flies, with shoulder and forearm issues. Other MLB teams don't seem to have these issues, at least not to this degree. At what point do we begin to look at the training staff, starting with pitching coach Mark Prior? What is it that he's asking (and teaching) these guys to do with their arms, to get that extra 'something' out of them? Too often that extra something becomes nothing at all. Rodger HowardWestlake Village The underperforming, injury-plagued — and very well-paid — Dodger pitching staff illustrates the true financial advantage of big-market teams willing and able to spend. Yes, the Dodgers can afford to sign and pay frontline players, but, just as important, they can also afford to set aside or simply eat the contracts of those expensive players if they become hurt or ineffective, and replace them with additional highly (over)paid players. It's almost a lock that, if their staff isn't healthier and more reliable come August, the Dodgers will probably trade for pitching help and take on even more salary. Small-market teams such as the Reds, Guardians and Pirates can't sign many top-tier players in the first place, let alone replace them if they don't pan out. John MerrymanRedondo Beach Instead of spending hundreds of millions on pitchers to sit on the injury list for the majority of every year, I recommend the Dodgers instead allocate those funds to put nine All-Star offensive players in the lineup. Then just do what the team always winds up doing anyway — rely on inexpensive, lower-tier and journeyman pitchers for the season. Jerry LeibowitzCulver City It's about time that the Dodgers separate from Clayton Kershaw. Yes he has been with them forever, and was very good. But that was then, not now. The Dodgers separated from Chris Taylor, and Austin Barnes, long-term team members, now it's time to do the same with Kershaw. Deborah R. IshidaBeverly Hills Dear Clayton, It's time to say goodbye. Injuries have taken their toll. Don't ruin what has been a first-ballot Hall of Fame career by performing at a level that is a shadow of yourself. It's been a great run, but you are hurting the team. Announce that you're leaving so the fans can give you the send-off you deserve. Please don't hang around and make us watch you continue to pad the worst stats of your career. Geno ApicellaPlacentia At 37 and having pitched more than 3,000 innings, there's no doubt Clayton Kershaw still has the smarts if not the scintillating fastball of days gone by to help the Dodgers race toward another World Series appearance. Manager Dave Roberts says he trusts him to keep taking the mound, and so do I. Like the headline reads, 'History says don't count out Kershaw.' Marty ZwebenPalos Verdes Estates While we all lament and understand the need to move on from fan favorites, thank goodness the Dodgers resisted the urge to go the youth route with Max Muncy. And it's not his glasses. Have you seen his swing of late? Probably not — it's too fast for the naked eye. Robert GaryWestlake Village Look, I get it. Ohtani is great. Amazing. Remarkable. Fill-in-the-blank with any superlative. But it seems like every week Dylan Hernández writes the exact same column, praising Ohtani for his greatness and saying how important he is to the Dodgers. And it was the same when he was on the Angels. Everyone knows that. I'd like to see Dylan mix it up with his critique and commentary a bit more. Greg WagnerHuntington Beach It looks like 'Plaschkeitis' has spread to another LAT sportswriter. In his report of the Dodgers' 18-2 win over the Yankees, Jack Harris writes, 'It was a statement, a reminder and a warning all wrapped into one.' It was also just one game, and 24 hours later, the Dodgers lost to the Yankees. Try to hold it down fellas; you're giving everybody whiplash. Ralph MartinezArcadia An easier path to the playoffs is no reason to cancel the most storied intersectional rivalry in sports. If USC cannot defeat Notre Dame, USC does not belong in the playoffs. Recruit and coach a team to beat them. Don't look for a way to claim success by running away from them. Jay McConnellLos Angeles USC football coach Lincoln Riley makes excuses why his team can't or won't play Notre Dame. I think the truth is he's scared to play Notre Dame because he feels overmatched. USC lost to Notre Dame in 2023 and 2024, and Riley can't handle another loss. Neil SnowManhattan Beach There are two subjects I hope never to read about again in The Times' Sports section: 1. The 2017 Houston Astros.* 2. Trevor Bauer. Jim LawsonSanta Barbara Got an unused night light? Send it to Mookie Betts. Mike EbertsLos Feliz The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Email: sports@
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Three Wisconsin Badgers appear on PFF's list of the NFL's top centers for 2025 season
Three Wisconsin Badgers appear on PFF's list of the NFL's top centers for 2025 season A trio of former Wisconsin Badgers landed on ProFootballFocus' list of the top 32 centers entering the 2025 NFL season. Captained by Super Bowl-winning center Creed Humphrey, PFF's hierarchy features former Badger standouts Joe Tippmann, Tyler Biadasz and Tanor Bortolini. Tippmann, who is entering his third campaign representing the New York Jets, landed at No. 11 on the ranking between Arizona Cardinal Hjalte Froholdt (No. 10) and Cleveland Brown Ethan Pocic (No. 12). The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native has started in 31 of 33 career games in New York, including all 17 games at center a season ago with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers at the helm. The Jets, with building star Breece Hall and Badger alumnus Braelon Allen in the backfield, rushed 363 times for 1,561 yards and eight scores behind Tippmann in 2024. Here's PFF's analysis on how the 2022 Honorable mention All-Big Ten center stacks up this coming season: "Tippmann took a big step forward in his second NFL season, earning a top-10 PFF overall grade (73.4) among centers. He improved his figure by more than 10 points on the grading scale over his rookie campaign, which bodes well for his ability to continue his career progression at just 24 years old." Amherst, Wisconsin, product Tyler Biadasz was the second Badger on PFF's recent list at No. 15. The five-year NFL veteran and 2022 Pro Bowler made 49 starts across four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before suiting up in 15 games with the Washington Commanders during the 2024 slate. With rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at the helm and both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler in the backfield, Washington rushed for 2,619 yards and 25 scores in 2024, with Biadasz leading the blocking effort. Only the Eagles and Ravens totaled more yardage on the ground. Here's PFF's take on the veteran: "Biadasz, in his first year with the Commanders, started off the 2024 season on a high note. Through the first nine games, his 79.3 PFF pass-blocking grade charted as the second-highest mark at the position. While that momentum faded as the season went on, and as Biadasz dealt with injury and illness, he still managed to finish with solid marks as a run blocker and a pass protector." Fresh off his first season with the Indianapolis Colts, Tanor Bortolini earned the No. 30 designation on the annual ranking. The Wisconsin product started in five of 12 total appearances for the Colts, largely contributing due to injuries at the position. Nonetheless, PFF's staff did not ignore the impression he made. "With the injuries to Ryan Kelly this past season, it was Bortolini and veteran Danny Pinter who stepped in to shoulder the load. Both are expected to compete for the starting job this summer. Bortolini showed a bit more of a well-rounded game in his first year as a pro, albeit on a limited sample. He produced a 64.0-plus PFF grade as both a run blocker and a pass protector, which may bode well for his chances of taking control of the starting job in 2025." As of June 6, all three players are poised to start for their respective franchises this coming season. The Colts, Jets and Commanders all kick-start their 2025 seasons on Sept. 7. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Braves aim to break 5-game slide, play the Giants
Atlanta Braves (27-35, fourth in the NL East) vs. San Francisco Giants (36-28, third in the NL West) San Francisco; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Bryce Elder (2-3, 4.56 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 37 strikeouts); Giants: Logan Webb (5-5, 2.55 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 91 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Braves -140, Giants +118; over/under is 7 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves, on a five-game losing streak, take on the San Francisco Giants. San Francisco has a 20-11 record at home and a 36-28 record overall. The Giants have an 11-3 record in games when they hit two or more home runs. Atlanta has gone 10-21 in road games and 27-35 overall. The Braves are 23-13 in games when they record eight or more hits. The teams match up Saturday for the second time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Heliot Ramos has 12 doubles, a triple, 11 home runs and 33 RBIs while hitting .296 for the Giants. Matt Chapman is 13 for 36 with four doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games. Matt Olson leads the Braves with 13 home runs while slugging .465. Ronald Acuna is 12 for 37 with a double, two home runs and four RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Giants: 5-5, .232 batting average, 2.00 ERA, outscored opponents by one run Braves: 2-8, .221 batting average, 4.18 ERA, outscored by six runs INJURIES: Giants: Jordan Hicks: 15-Day IL (toe), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (pectoral), Tom Murphy: 60-Day IL (back) Braves: Daysbel Hernandez: 15-Day IL (arm), AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-Day IL (calf/elbow), Stuart Fairchild: 10-Day IL (finger), Ignacio Alvarez: 60-Day IL (wrist), Reynaldo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
