In a move that has surprised many Atlanta Braves fans, legendary closer Craig Kimbrel is returning to the team where he made his name—even if it’s on a minor league deal. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Kimbrel will spend the next few weeks in Triple-A to get back into shape. If all goes well, he’ll rejoin the Braves’ bullpen and earn $2 million in the majors.
Kimbrel’s career has been a rollercoaster since his first stint with the Braves ended a decade ago. During his initial run in Atlanta, he was nearly untouchable, posting a jaw-dropping 1.43 ERA over 294 games. His dominance even drew comparisons to Mariano Rivera, as he racked up saves at an astonishing rate during a time when the stat was highly valued.
However, since 2019, Kimbrel’s performance has been inconsistent, with a career 3.90 ERA and multiple seasons where his ERA ballooned above 5.00. Once considered a surefire Hall of Famer, his career has taken a downturn, and many expect him to struggle.
The Braves, however, are keeping expectations realistic. But there’s hope that returning to Atlanta could help Kimbrel rediscover his old form. The team has built a reputation for reviving the careers of veteran pitchers in recent years. For instance, Joe Jimenez, who had a 5.24 ERA over six seasons with the Detroit Tigers, has posted a 2.81 ERA in two years with the Braves. Similarly, Jesse Chavez seemed to thrive only when wearing a Braves uniform.
Kimbrel has shown glimpses of his former self recently. In 2023 with the Phillies, he finished with a 3.26 ERA, including a stellar 2.20 ERA from June onward. The Braves are betting on their ability to unlock that version of Kimbrel once again.
The reunion is officially underway, and while it’s unclear how long this chapter will last, the possibility of seeing Kimbrel return to his dominant ways is too exciting to ignore. Braves fans will be watching closely to see if this gamble pays off.
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