Latest news with #Gwinnett
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Braves Seek To Aid Battered Bullpen By Promoting Kimbrel
During his first stint with the Braves, Craig Kimbrel had many happy moments on the mound. (Photo ... More by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Once in a blue moon, an established star whose best days are behind him agrees to play in the minor leagues with the hope of a last hurrah in the majors. That is the case with Craig Kimbrel, National League Rookie of the Year with the Atlanta Braves in 2011 and owner of 440 career saves, fifth on the lifetime list. At age 37, Kimbrel had no takers when he tried free agency last fall until his old team agreed to give him one last try. Now that Atlanta's bullpen is in desperate straits, Kimbrel got called up Thursday – almost immediately after struggling closer Raisel Iglesias yielded ninth-running runs to suffer his fifth loss of the season. Those runs capped a seven-run, ninth-inning uprising that turned a 10-4 laugher into an 11-10 setback. Kimbrel, once referred to as a right-handed version of 2025 Hall of Fame electee Billy Wagner, is a compact pitcher known for his big wingspan. When he peers at the catcher for his sign, he resembles a human DeLorean. Poised to pounce, Craig Kimbrel resembles a human DeLorean in his trademark mound presence while ... More peering in for a sign. (Photo by) At 37, he doesn't have the velocity of his youth but he does have the determination. At Triple-A Gwinnett, Atlanta's top farm club, he carved a 2.00 earned run average over 18 innings after starting with no spring training. Should manager Brian Snitker decide to deploy Kimbrel as closer, the veteran right-hander could inch toward 500 saves and a virtually certain ticket to Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He'll just need to be more stingy with walks and home runs than he was before. Last year, he had a strong first half with the Baltimore Orioles but was beat up so badly in the second that the Birds released him after signing him as a free agent. A nine-time All-Star, Kimbrel began his career by beating Freddie Freeman in the race for NL Rookie of the Year. That was the first of his five 40-save seasons, including 50 in 2013, when he finished fourth in the voting for the National League's Cy Young Award. In his first five seasons, all with the Braves, he had a 1.43 ERA. In his 15-year career, which also includes stops in San Diego, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago (Cubs and White Sox) plus Philadelphia, he has averaged 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings. At the same time, he's allowed nearly four walks per nine frames pitched. Craig Kimbrel has been an All-Star nine times. Even without his erstwhile power-pitching ability, Kimbrel hopes to compensate with experience. He certainly can't do much worse than Iglesias, who begins this weekend with an ERA of 6.75 and seven home runs allowed – after giving up four in all of 2024. In addition to the Iglesias issue, Atlanta has lost a myriad of one-run games because fellow relievers Rafael Montero, Scott Blewett, Dylan Lee, and Daysbel Hernandez have been erratic at best. The Braves start a series in San Francisco tonight mired in fourth place in the National League East with a 27-34 record, 11 games behind the high-flying New York Mets, their arch-rival. Atlanta has been victimized by a struggling offense – even after the return of former league MVP Ronald Acuna, Jr. just weeks ago. When the Braves break through with an offensive burst, as they did in their three-homer game Thursday, their bullpen blows the lead. When they get great pitching, such as the one-run, 10-strikeout effort by Chris Sale Wednesday, they don't generate enough support. Even with AJ Smith-Shawver sidelined with elbow issues, Reynaldo Lopez also likely out for the season, and Spencer Strider still rusty after recovering from his own, the rotation of Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder has been respectable. In the bullpen, however, health has not been the issue. Performance has. Enter Kimbrel, albeit without his old 98 mph fastball. He did fan 33 per cent of rival hitters at Gwinnett but they were not major-leaguers. He and lefty Dylan Lee were promoted from Triple-A for the West Coast trip with the walk-prone Hernandez (numbness in his finger) sent to the injured list. Kimbrel will be paid a pro-rated version of $2 million, the amount to which he agreed if his minor-league work merited promotion to the majors. His peak previous salary was $16,000,000 with the Chicago Cubs and White Sox from 2020-22. 'We're going to mix and match, and guys are going to get a lot more opportunities,' Snitker said of his bullpen after the Thursday fiasco in Atlanta. 'We're going to have to make it work, because it's what we got.' The Braves went 1-5 on their just-completed homestand against two other struggling clubs, the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks. The bullpen was a bigger culprit than the offense. In fact, the pen's performance was offensive to Atlanta fans who booed their team off the field after the ninth inning at Truist Park Thursday. The Braves had entered this season as favorites to win the NL East title and reach the playoffs for their seventh consecutive seasons. No team has done that after opening a season with seven straight losses, however. Atlanta went 0-7 on its opening road trip to San Diego and Los Angeles.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Braves reportedly calling up Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A after bullpen meltdown 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. The decision was likely prompted by the Braves blowing a 6-run lead in the ninth inning on Thursday versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, leading to an 11-10 loss. Atlanta took a 10-5 lead into the ninth, but three of Arizona's first four batters reached base against Scott Blewett, including home runs by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Alek Thomas. Advertisement Raisel Iglesias relieved Blewett and didn't fare any 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." 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. Advertisement 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 Baltimore Orioles in 57 appearances despite a strikeout rate of 12.6 per 9 innings and was released in late September. However, Kimbrel had a 2.80 ERA, 53 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings and 23 saves before the All-Star break. Advertisement '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.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Matt Olson and Sean Murphy lead Atlanta Braves' win against Boston Red Sox
Matt Olson and Sean Murphy lead Atlanta Braves' win against Boston Red Sox (Image Source: Getty) What a day it has been for the Atlanta Braves , who managed to beat the Boston Red Sox by 4-2 on Friday night. It cannot be denied that Matt Olson and Sean Murphy were the star players, who hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning that led the Braves to an early lead. How did the Braves manage to win against the Sox? Both players, Matt Olson and Sean Murphy had great games, going 2-for-4. While Braves' pitcher Chris Sale was strong, giving up only one run in seven innings and striking out eight. Sale used to play for the Red Sox but now has won two straight games against them. The Red Sox struggled with runners on base, going just 1-for-10 in those chances. Boston's pitcher Garrett Crochet started strong but gave up the two homers early. The Red Sox have now lost four games in a row. Can Ronald Acuna Jr. return next weekend? Meanwhile, Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. is getting closer to returning to the team after a serious knee injury last year. On Friday night, he played in back-to-back games for the first time in almost a year, which is a big step in his recovery. Playing for the Braves' Triple-A team, Gwinnett, he went 0-for-2 but drew two walks, scored twice, and played six innings in right field. The Braves have not stated exactly when he'll return, but his recent progress is a good sign. Acuna is going through a fast version of Spring Training to get ready after tearing his ACL on May 26, 2024. Also Read: 'Mike Has Never Beat Me In A Race'- Rays Outfielder Chandler Simpson Makes An Interesting Revelation About The Braves Star Michael Harris II Acuna started his rehab earlier this week and has played twice for Gwinnett. He may rest on Saturday and play again Sunday. If he doesn't travel with Gwinnett next week, he might continue playing with the Double-A team in Columbus. He could return to the Braves next weekend. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Hamilton Spectator
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Braves are facing surplus of starters as Smith-Shawver emerges and Strider is ready to come off IL
ATLANTA (AP) — AJ Smith-Shawver is breaking out as an emerging force in the Atlanta Braves' rotation. That rotation soon will receive another boost, as Spencer Strider is ready to come off the injured list. After Smith-Shawver allowed only two hits and no earned runs in six innings in the Braves' 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday, manager Brian Snitker said Strider would return to the rotation when Atlanta plays at Washington next week. 'We're not sure which game,' Snitker said. Snitker didn't say how the Braves would create a spot for Strider, who threw a five-inning simulated game at Truist Park on Wednesday. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 21 after straining his right hamstring. The hamstring injury came after Strider had completed his comeback from UCL internal brace surgery on his right elbow on April 12, 2024. He was an All-Star in 2023, when he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting after going 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA and a major league-best 281 strikeouts. Strider pitched five innings in a 3-1 loss at Toronto on April 16 in his first game back from the surgery. Then his comeback was put on hold, thanks to the hamstring injury. Smith-Shawver, 22, has been dominant since his recall from Triple-A Gwinnett on April 29. Though it's not clear how the Braves will make room for Strider, Smith-Shawver has made a strong case that he ranks as one of the team's top starters. 'For me, it's really just been trusting my stuff,' Smith-Shawver said Thursday. 'I don't know if it's more belief or just getting more comfortable with more reps.' Smith-Shawver (3-2) has allowed one earned run in 19 2/3 innings over his last three starts, leaving his ERA at 2.33. The right-hander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of a 4-0 win over Cincinnati on May 5. Snitker said Thursday's start, which included six strikeouts, 'might have been better.' 'Very impressive right there,' Snitker said. 'He came out of the shoot firing, boy.' Smith-Shawver has won his last three decisions and is a big reason the Braves (22-22) returned to .500 for the second time in three days after losing their first seven games to open the season. The rotation has also included 2024 NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale , Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder. Following Thursday's game, Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Right-hander Reynaldo López was shut down for 12 weeks last month following surgery on his inflamed right shoulder but could return in the second half of the season. Snitker said a six-man rotation is 'not feasible' when the team has off days. Smith-Shawver says he knows the team could face a surplus of starting pitchers. 'Those decisions are always tough,' he said, adding he's just focusing on each opportunity. 'When they tell you to throw the ball, you throw the ball and enjoy it.' ___ AP MLB:
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Braves are facing surplus of starters as Smith-Shawver emerges and Strider is ready to come off IL
ATLANTA (AP) — AJ Smith-Shawver is breaking out as an emerging force in the Atlanta Braves' rotation. That rotation soon will receive another boost, as Spencer Strider is ready to come off the injured list. After Smith-Shawver allowed only two hits and no earned runs in six innings in the Braves' 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday, manager Brian Snitker said Strider would return to the rotation when Atlanta plays at Washington next week. 'We're not sure which game,' Snitker said. Snitker didn't say how the Braves would create a spot for Strider, who threw a five-inning simulated game at Truist Park on Wednesday. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 21 after straining his right hamstring. The hamstring injury came after Strider had completed his comeback from UCL internal brace surgery on his right elbow on April 12, 2024. He was an All-Star in 2023, when he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting after going 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA and a major league-best 281 strikeouts. Strider pitched five innings in a 3-1 loss at Toronto on April 16 in his first game back from the surgery. Then his comeback was put on hold, thanks to the hamstring injury. Smith-Shawver, 22, has been dominant since his recall from Triple-A Gwinnett on April 29. Though it's not clear how the Braves will make room for Strider, Smith-Shawver has made a strong case that he ranks as one of the team's top starters. 'For me, it's really just been trusting my stuff,' Smith-Shawver said Thursday. 'I don't know if it's more belief or just getting more comfortable with more reps.' Smith-Shawver (3-2) has allowed one earned run in 19 2/3 innings over his last three starts, leaving his ERA at 2.33. The right-hander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of a 4-0 win over Cincinnati on May 5. Snitker said Thursday's start, which included six strikeouts, 'might have been better.' 'Very impressive right there,' Snitker said. 'He came out of the shoot firing, boy.' Smith-Shawver has won his last three decisions and is a big reason the Braves (22-22) returned to .500 for the second time in three days after losing their first seven games to open the season. The rotation has also included 2024 NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder. Following Thursday's game, Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Right-hander Reynaldo López was shut down for 12 weeks last month following surgery on his inflamed right shoulder but could return in the second half of the season. Snitker said a six-man rotation is 'not feasible' when the team has off days. Smith-Shawver says he knows the team could face a surplus of starting pitchers. 'Those decisions are always tough,' he said, adding he's just focusing on each opportunity. 'When they tell you to throw the ball, you throw the ball and enjoy it.' ___
