Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel has been designated for assignment, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kimbrel has carried a rough 13.94 ERA, 2.23 WHIP, and a 9:12 BB:K ratio since August 11 and has taken two losses during this period. In addition, he has not recorded a save since July 7 after tallying 23 through most of the first half. While he has still been able to generate strikeouts at an elite 31.5% rate, he has given up hard contact at a very high rate, with a 10.6% barrel rate and a 43.1% hard-hit rate. 29-year-old Seranthony Dominguez has established himself as the go-to option in the ninth inning in Baltimore, as he has tallied nine saves across his past 12 1/3 frames of work. Kimbrel will now be a free agent and could eventually find a new home on a team looking to add a veteran piece to their bullpen.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel had a rough outing on Thursday, coughing up a 6-3 lead in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins. Kimbrel gave up three runs (one earned) on two walks and two hits. To be fair to him, he probably should've been in a better situation, as Gunnar Henderson bobbled a routine grounder that would've led to the Marlins having two outs instead of one. Still, Kimbrel didn't have his control today, something that has popped up a few times this season. He now has two blown saves in his last three outings, and with the Orioles being a top contender, one has to wonder if they fully trust the veteran in the closer role when he has been streaky this season. There shouldn't be any worries yet for fantasy managers, but a few more bad outings might raise some red flags.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel blew his fifth save of the season on Sunday against the division-rival New York Yankees but was bailed out and picked up his sixth win of the year in the team's 6-5 victory. Kimbrel allowed three earned runs on just one hit (a homer) while walking two and striking out one in an inning of work in the rough outing. All the damage came on a three-run homer off the bat of rookie Ben Rice after Kimbrel had walked a pair of hitters. The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star has had moments of frustration in 2024 in his first year in Baltimore, but overall he's been solid for the O's and will take a 6-2 record, 2.80 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 23 saves and a 53:16 K:BB into the All-Star break in 35 1/3 total innings. Although his walk rate of 11.4% isn't ideal, he's also sporting a 37.6% strikeout rate, his highest mark since 2021.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel notched his 17th save of the season in Wednesday afternoon's win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians, striking out three hitters in the ninth inning. Kimbrel recorded the final out as he got Guardians outfielder Jhonkensy Noel to swing and miss on a breaking ball, giving the Orioles a 4-2 win. The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star's struggles have been exaggerated at times this season, as he's posting a 2.54 ERA and 0.99 WHIP while fanning 42 and walking 12 over 28 1/3 innings as Baltimore's go-to stopper.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 15th save of the season during Monday's 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. He issued one walk while striking out two. The veteran fireballer is now 15-for-18 in save opportunities on the season to go along with a 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 35.2 K%. He struggled to start the year, but he has now converted eight straight saves since the start of May. Kimbrel is still a top-10 closing option in fantasy on a team that garners plenty of save chances.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Kimbrel struck out two and did not allow a baserunner on the way to securing his 13th save in 16 chances in 2024. The 36-year-old veteran now has a 3.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts over 21 innings in his first season with the O's. Kimbrel should continue to see plenty of save chances pitching for the contending Orioles moving forward. That, coupled with his elite strikeout rate, makes him an excellent fantasy closer for fantasy managers this season.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel was tasked with holding a three-run lead against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. The 35-year-old was temporarily removed from the closer role due to struggles in early May. The veteran right-hander has reclaimed his role and has three saves this week. This game marked the seven straight scoreless appearance for Kimbrel. Fantasy managers can go back to trusting Kimbrel as an everyday option in fantasy lineups.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel as been confirmed as the closer going forward, according to manager Brandon Hyde. This doesn't come as much of a surprise after Kimbrel was tasked with closing down Sunday's game. The O's took a few weeks off from having Kimbrel as the closer, but he worked his way back into the role. Yennier Cano figures to return to his role as the set-up pitcher, so his fantasy value is going to take a significant hit.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel was asked with holding a three-run lead during Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The veteran right-hander was removed from the closer role in early May. Hopefully for fantasy managers, Kimbrel is now getting eased back into the role. He was given a three-run lead and the bottom of the Mariners batting order on Sunday. He struck out two batters in a scoreless inning of work. It remains to be seen if Kimbrel has earned his closer role back.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel has been removed from his normal role as Orioles closer. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters Saturday that he talked with the 35-year-old Friday afternoon about the change in plans. Hyde said he intends to take it day-by-day and that he's not sure when Kimbrel will return back to the closer role, hinting that this move may be more temporary. "We need him to be Craig Kimbrel and we need him to be the lockdown guy he's been for his entire career," the Orioles manager stated. Kimbrel had failed to convert four of his last five save opportunities before the change on Friday night, when he threw a perfect seventh inning. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on Kimbrel over the next couple weeks, but should be looking for other closers if Kimbrel was their starting closer.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Craig Kimbrel (back) will return to his normal role as closer on Friday for the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds. Kimbrel will return to the fold at the back end of Baltimore's bullpen after not appearing in a game since injuring his back last Sunday against the Oakland Athletics. The 35-year-old's back injury could explain why he's blown both of his last two save chances while allowing three runs. It's something to keep a close eye on moving forward. Kimbrel is currently sporting a 3.18 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with seven saves, six walks and 17 strikeouts in his 11 1/3 innings pitched. If Kimbrel's back issues return and he's forced to miss more time, a closer committee could form in Baltimore between Jacob Webb, Danny Coulombe and Yennier Cano.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (back) is uncertain for Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees. The veteran reliever left Sunday's game due to back tightness. He is currently considered as day-to-day. Orioles' manager Brandon Hyde said he was unsure if Kimbrel would be available for Tuesday's game. The right-hander will likely throw pregame before the team decides on his availability. If he's out, Yennier Cano figures to remain the closer in Baltimore for at least one more night.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel (back) is considered day-to-day with upper-back tightness, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The skipper doesn't think Kimbrel's soreness is workload related. The 35-year-old right-handed reliever has blown his last two save chances and didn't even record an out while giving up two earned runs in the team's 7-6 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The Orioles are hoping that he can avoid going on the injured list, but fantasy managers should prepare for the worst here. Kimbrel is not going to be available if another save situation arises in the series opener on Monday against the division-rival New York Yankees. Those in need of saves should run to the waiver wire and pick up Yennier Cano if he's available, as he's the favorite to be Baltimore's closer if Kimbrel ends up missing extended time.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel blew his second consecutive save on Sunday before leaving the game alongside the team's training staff. Kimbrel issued a four-pitch walk to Darrell Hernaiz and then served up a two-run home run to Kyle McCann before leaving. He also blew the save in Friday's game after allowing two hits and three walks. It is unclear at this point what Kimbrel's injury is, but something was off with the veteran reliever. Expect more news to come out shortly from the Orioles.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel helped spoil the Pittsburgh Pirates' home opener in Friday's 5-2 win, preserving the victory and notching his first save of the year with two strikeouts in a clean ninth inning. It was a bit of a rocking-chair save for the 35-year-old nine-time All-Star, who sat down the sixth, seventh, and eighth hitters of Pittsburgh's lineup with relative ease. Kimbrel really struggled in spring ball, floundering to a 7.50 ERA and serving up two homers in six spring training innings, also blowing his first save chance of the year but escaping with the win in Monday's walk-off triumph over the visiting Kansas City Royals. With that said, Friday was a strong bounce-back performance. 2023 All-Star Yennier Cano has fired 4 1/3 scoreless frames and could eventually come knocking on the door for save chances of his own, but Kimbrel is a good bet to tally at least 20 saves in 2024.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel blew his first save of the season but earned a win in Monday's 6-4 game against the Royals. Kimbrel came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by one. He got the first out on a strikeout, allowed a single, allowed the runner to advance to third on two consecutive steals, gave up the tying run on a sacrifice fly, and got the final out on another strikeout. The O's would walk it off in the bottom half of the inning, making Kimbrel the winning pitcher of record. It wasn't a bad outing for the 36-year-old, who racked up 23 saves last season and is clearly the team's closer to start the season. This means he should have a pretty long leash, but, hopefully, he can pick up his first save with his new team in his next opportunity.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel (quadriceps) threw a live batting practice session on Monday at camp and said he felt great. Kimbrel expects to make his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday. Kimbrel dealt with quadriceps soreness over the weekend and was shut down for a few days as a precaution. The 35-year-old veteran reliever is feeling good again now, though, and has plenty of time to get himself right before Opening Day at the end of March. Kimbrel joined the Orioles in the offseason on a one-year deal to serve as the team's closer in 2024 with Felix Bautista (elbow) out for the year. He led the Phillies with 23 saves in 2023 and had a 3.26 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 94 strikeouts in 69 innings. Injuries are a concern, but as long as he's healthy, he should receive plenty of save opportunities in Baltimore.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel (quadriceps) said he cut his live batting practice session in camp on Saturday shorty by around five pitches because he felt some tightness in his lower body. However, Kimbrel isn't concerned after getting treatment from trainers. He's scheduled to throw again on Monday. Manager Brandon Hyde later said Kimbrel was dealing with quadriceps soreness. While it doesn't appear to be a serious injury, it's something to watch for the 35-year-old right-hander as we get close to Opening Day in late March. If healthy, Kimbrel, who is the active MLB leader in saves, will operate as Baltimore's full-time closer with Felix Bautista (elbow) out for the whole year.

Free-agent right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a one-year, $13 million deal on Wednesday, according to sources. The contract includes a $13 million club option for the 2025 season. Talks between the two sides began to heat up on Tuesday night, and the O's have now secured the 35-year-old closer at the Winter Meetings. He had a nice 3.26 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 23 saves during the regular season in 2023 for the Philadelphia Phillies. Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star, has 417 career saves in 14 big-league seasons with seven different teams. With Felix Bautista (elbow) out for all of the 2024 season, it seems likely that Kimbrel is going to serve as Baltimore's primary closer, which will make him a high-end fantasy closing target in spring drafts.

The Baltimore Orioles have been "seriously engaged" with free-agent relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, MLB Network's Joel Sherman reported Tuesday. The O's will be without their All-Star closer Felix Bautista (elbow) in 2024 while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. While the team does have several late-inning relievers, a player with Kimbrel's career numbers could help shut things down at the end of games. The 35-year-old veteran had a mixed 2023 season with the Phillies, converting 23 of 28 save opportunities in the regular season with a 3.26 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 33.8% strikeout rate. However, he posted a bloated 6.00 ERA in seven postseason appearances.